Gastev was one of the most explosive back pocket players the game has ever seen.

‘Long John’ as his teammates called him was known for his dashing cave man looks that not only hepled him on the field but at his famous saturday night spot CQ, where the ladies couldn’t get enough of his lion like rug.

His partying days ended however when Gary Ablett Snr permantly left an inprint of his elbow right on ‘Gassys’ nose.

A career highlight for Gastev was his 7 goal effort agaist sydney in 89, his first year with the lions. A low light for ‘Johno’ would of course be the brownlow medal; Gastev can consider himself as unlucky as the likes of Chris Grant and Corey McKernan when he flew home in the last half of the 1990 season to finish with a total of 4 votes!!

He almost pulled it of again in 92 with a hard fought 2 votes but once again fell short. There have been some great back pocket players such as Nathan Steinberner and Brad Bootsma, but none as good as Johny Gastev….. a true past champion of the game.