Johnson had surgery to repair the fracture in his fifth metatarsal bone a month ago.

"It had been really sore and then I got it looked at, it had been broken for a while and mended, but it didn't heal properly, so I had to get it re-broken," he said.

"I had to get a bone graft, a plate and a few screws."

Johnson was using crutches until last week and is hoping to be out of his moon boot by early September.

He's not certain of a return date to running, but doesn't think it will impact on next year's football season.

Johnson still doesn't know how he suffered the injury.

However, Johnson's toughness and ability to put up with the pain won't surprise anyone who saw one of the most impressive debut seasons the league has seen in recent years,

The rampaging key forward starred in the Panthers' charge to last year's premiership, finishing second in the Doug Strang Medal with 48 goals and taking a series of strong marks.

He spoke about the potential of playing at the higher level last October after the flag, but suggested finishing his plumbing apprenticeship might take precedence.

However, the 20-year-old will complete that apprenticeship in early January.

"I just wanted to finish my apprenticeship and to be signed off, so I don't have to worry about it and give footy a crack," he said.

"I don't really know what I want to do next year, it will either be here or have a go at VFL.

"I'll probably talk to 'Simmo' (Lavington coach Simon Curtis), he's pretty good about it all and talk to my old man and see what we think.

"I hadn't really thought about it too much (up until late last year), I started to get a couple of calls and then I thought maybe I'd look at it."

Johnson kicked two goals in last year's grand final win over Wangaratta, but it was a moment late in the game which will convince many he has the appetite to play VFL.

The Pies had seized the momentum when Johnson produced a flying leap and held a spectacular one-hander.

More importantly, he had the composure to kick the goal, which ended the fightback.

After starring at Hume League level with Brock-Burrum in 2018, Johnson easily handled the rise in class at O and M standard and he would naturally need to do likewise at State level.

ALSO IN SPORT:

This year's O and M was canned due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Corowa-Rutherglen is about to start interviewing three coaching candidates.

Although the club has been tight-lipped on the contenders, at least one has coached previously in the league.