Recently delisted Collingwood forward Ash Johnson has backflipped on his signing with West Coast's WAFL side, renegotiating his contract to return home to South Australia.
Johnson will now line up for SANFL club Sturt in 2026, the state league's reigning premiers and Johnson's former club before he signed with Collingwood following his selection in the 2021 rookie draft.
Johnson had committed to the West Coast Eagles WAFL program on a two-year deal, anticipating to play for the reserves until 2027.
However, with a desire to return to South Australia and back to Sturt, where Johnson played 15 games before his AFL move, the Double Blues Football Manager Geoff Riddle successfully negotiated his release with West Coast to secure his return to the Unley-based outfit.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ash back to the Club and look forward to seeing him pull on the Double Blue guernsey once again," Riddle said.
Johnson is a high-flying forward who spent five seasons at the Pies, playing 27 senior games, including all three finals games in 2022, kicking 36 goals throughout his career.
