→
Robert Johnstone has just two rules when he crosses the white line to enter the football field.
asserted
he → have → field
"The first rule is don't fall over, because you're out of the game and you look a fool," the 83-year-old says.
"
asserted
old → fall → game
The second rule is get a kick."
asserted
rule → get → kick
Mr Johnstone, affectionately known by his teammates as "Robbie J", lives in South Australia's Riverland, but has also lived in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
asserted
Johnstone → know → Victoria
He was a latecomer to Aussie Rules football and only picked up the game in his 70s.
And despite his age, he's not ready to give up the sport he's fallen in love with.
asserted
he → pick → love
"I'd never tried a group sport.
asserted
I → try → sport
I did a lot of fun-run walking and stuff," Mr Johnstone says.
asserted
Johnstone → do → walking
"Now I can't walk past a footy without wanting to kick it.
"
asserted
I → walk → it
Still quick off the mark
Mr Johnstone plays for his local team, the Riverland Superdogs, who compete in South Australia's AFL Masters league.
The league only allows players age 35 and up, and has competitions across Australia.
asserted
league → play → Australia
Mr Johnstone has the title of oldest player in the competition.
asserted
Johnstone → have → competition
"There's an element of danger to it, and I've still got that little bit of ego; I want to be out there," he says.
asserted
he → be → ego
"You've just got to accept the fact that everyone's quicker than me, but I do have some little wins."
asserted
I → get → wins
Riverland Superdogs president Rob Romeo has played alongside Mr Johnstone for almost 10 years.
asserted
Romeo → play → years
He says even in his old age "Robbie J" has grown, becoming a better, more refined player.
asserted
J → say → age
"He's usually the first one at trainings," Mr Romeo says.
"
asserted
Romeo → say → trainings
Things have slowed down slightly over the years, but there was a time when he would put us to shame.
asserted
he → slow → shame
"He's like a little kid, just trying to get a little bit better at kicking, and we'd just say, 'Don't put too much pressure on yourself.
asserted
we → try → yourself
While there is no finals series or a premier in the AFL Masters, the competitive spirit and camaraderie has brought players back season after season.
asserted
spirit → be → season
Mr Romeo says the Superdogs don't care how good prospective players ae, as long as they are willing to give it a go.
asserted
they → say → go
He encourages anyone over 35 looking for community involvement and exercise to consider it.
asserted
He → encourage → it
"As a kid, you go to footy because your mates go, and this is no different," he says.
"
asserted
he → go → footy
It opens up your friendship web, whether you come from broken relationships or whatever else that may have happened in your life.
uncertain
that → open → life
The exercise also helps with mental health."
asserted
exercise → help → health
Former AFL Masters and West Adelaide chief executive Conny Wilson also resides in the Riverland.
asserted
Wilson → reside → Riverland
She has seen "Robbie J" up close on a number of occasions, and says he embodies inclusivity, which AFL Masters is all about.
asserted
Masters → see → which
"As an aging society, these are great opportunities for people to either reconnect with past teammates or for people looking for friendships to come out and try
asserted
people → age → friendships
," Ms Wilson says.
asserted
Wilson → say → ?
"It's also been exceptionally well received by women, who growing up didn't have the opportunity to play football."
asserted
growing → receive → football
Mr Johnstone's passion for the game also extends to his adopted state, seen in his distinctive mullet, transforming from grey to SA's iconic red, blue and yellow for the annual AFL Masters state carnival, which he will play again this year in the over-65s.
asserted
he → extend → over-65s
While the octogenarian doesn't expect to dominate his competition at the carnival, he is confident he can once again make his mark.
asserted
he → expect → mark
"I rarely get pinged for holding the ball, that's a badge of honour."
asserted
that → ping → honour
The Aporia
