NT Thunder Football Club welcomes another new face to the 2019 NEAFL squad signing key forward David Johnston to bolster the lineup.

The 28-year-old diesel mechanic has been a constant figure for Darwin Buffaloes in the second half of the NTFL, since relocating to Darwin from Western Australia in January for employment.

After being born in Alice Springs and spending his toddler years in the Red Centre, Johnston and his family relocated to Bunbury in WA where he grew up.

He made his debut for South Bunbury in 2011 before progressing to the WAFL where he accumulated 44 senior games playing for Swan Districts, Perth and Peel Thunder before a serious leg injury sidelined him.

In 2018 he was the Senior Coach for the Canning South Perth Football Club in the WA Amateur Football League.

NT Thunder Head Coach Darren Reeves said Johnston was a positive inclusion to the list.

“David is a key position player that can play either end of the ground with a solid amount of state league football behind him and a real desire to play his best football again at this level.

“He’s of excellent character and work ethic, and we see him playing a really important role for us. He’s been playing some excellent football for Darwin over the last six weeks,” he said.

NT Thunder Manager Andrew Hodges said it was great to have Johnston at Thunder and it’s a bonus that he’s Territory-born.

“David’s a quality person with a lot of experience, and the recruitment of skilled players with strong characters is always a good challenge for the Thunder program so when a person of David’s calibre moves back to the NT, it’s a no brainer to have them involved,” he said.

Johnston said he was signing for NT Thunder was a homecoming of sorts.

“I’m really proud and excited to get the opportunity to represent the place I was born in.

“With the amount of talent the club has and the professional environment I feel the club is in a great position to achieve success this year and I’m just happy to be a part of it,” he said.