PAUL Johnson has played 43 AFL matches in six seasons.

That's just over seven matches a year.

Raw statistics aren't flattering at first glance, but they don't quite tell the story of the 24-year-old's journey.

And, all things being equal, Johnson should push his career tally up past 60 in 2009.

Drafted by West Coast at No. 24 in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft, Johnson played his only game for the Eagles in 2003 before injuries took hold of his career.

At the end of 2004, he was traded to Melbourne but the return to his native Victoria still didn't have the desired effect on-field.

That was until 2007, when Johnson played 16 games. He added another 16 last year and took even greater strides, despite missing three with a broken hand and two with a hip injury.

Whether it's in the ruck or as a forward, Johnson has become vital to Melbourne's structure and that has swelled with the retirement of David Neitz and Jeff White.

Now he is relishing his opportunities and responsibilities.

"I had my best year to date in the AFL last year," Johnson told melbournefc.com.au. "I took a lot of confidence out of it. I played the way Dean Bailey wanted me to play and was doing my bit for the team. I got a lot of confidence and hopefully it can carry on this year."

He added that his six seasons at the elite level feel more like two and that injuries have made it tough.

"First year I broke my leg, second year it was my shoulder and collarbone and third year [at Melbourne] was the only year I've been injury-free," he said. "Going into this year [I'm injury-free as well].

"I'm really looking forward to this season. I realise not too many people get this opportunity, so I'm making the most of what I've got.

"I like playing forward but I like playing ruck as well, so it works out well with the way we've got it structured at the moment. I like to use my athletic ability and run around a bit as a midfielder."

Johnson is also optimistic about the progression of fellow talls Jake Spencer and John Meesen, particularly with Mark Jamar's move to the long-term injury list with a foot injury.

"They have had a really good crack over the last couple of weeks and they're going to be good players for the club," Johnson said of Spencer and Meesen.

"Jake Spencer is only 20 years old. Hopefully he'll keep improving like he has and become a good player."

A mid-aged player in the Demons' developing squad, Johnson realises he can still learn plenty from his older teammates and impart his knowledge onto younger ones.

"We've got the likes of Russell Robertson, who isn't even in the leadership group, but in any other team he probably would be," he said. "Guys like that, you can learn so much from.

"When we played in Cairns (against the Brisbane Lions) the other week, I was the third-oldest player at 24. So to think you're the third-oldest player is unbelievable. There will definitely be a step-up this year in leadership."

In many respects, Melbourne fans look to Johnson for his team-lifting moments.

Round four, 2006 saw Johnson put his body on the line against the Sydney Swans – causing a serious shoulder injury that effectively ended his year.

Last year against Geelong in round three, he produced the best game of his career but was left with a broken hand.

And a run-down tackle on Justin Sherman during the final quarter of the round 14 victory over the Brisbane Lions was crucial to the result.

Johnson said his 'one-percenter' style came from a will to win for the Dees.

"In the end, you try and do your bit for the team and it just so happened that those things did happen," he said.

"You don't think too much about it – you do what you've got to do to win the ball.

"Going into the Geelong game, I always [felt] that I'm going to play well on Skilled Stadium. I went into that game thinking, 'I've got nothing to lose, make the most of it'. And it came off, although I broke my hand, which was a let-down.

"Being able to do that week-in-week-out is the next step and hopefully I can do that this year."

Early indications suggest he will.