SO WHAT has been behind the rise of Melbourne half-back Chris Johnson in recent times?

Is it the fact he has now had five seasons to acclimatise to the rigours of the AFL; the apprenticeship served with Sandringham in the VFL or perhaps the help of a confidant?

For Johnson, the latter has been particularly important in his recent football development.

"I reckon my girlfriend's Dad has helped me a lot – just being there – that's Noel Spoor and him and my girlfriend Emma come to each game and he's a pretty good judge and he gives me good feedback about where I need to improve my game," Johnson told melbournefc.com.au, who said Spoor was "definitely" a role model.

"I've been with my girlfriend for about a year and three quarters, so he's been around for the last year of my development – and he follows Collingwood! Emma wasn't really a football fan and she probably supported Collingwood, but now she's a Melbourne supporter."

Johnson said Spoor is also close friends with dual Brownlow Medallist and former Collingwood and Melbourne champion Peter Moore.

"Noel is still good mates with Peter Moore and I've met him a few times through Noel and I've had a few words with Peter. Noel played footy when he was younger – he lives out in Research – so it was out Eltham way," Johnson said.

"He's got a couple of sons playing footy, one is 30 and one is 19, and he's always been thereabouts with footy and I reckon he's a pretty good judge of people and players."

Johnson, who is the son of 1983 and 1989 Melbourne best-and-fairest winner Alan, said he didn't talk shop when he caught up with his Dad. 

"We don't speak a lot about footy. He says to keep enjoying it and having fun out there and that's the main point he gets across to me," Johnson said, who is also studying a bachelor of business away from the game.

"He lives out in Melton now, so it's hard to catch up sometimes – maybe once a fortnight."