FREMANTLE defender Michael Johnson is proud to be celebrating the AFL's Indigenous Round in the best way possible: by representing his club and people on the ground.

Michael is one of a number of indigenous players at a club that has always benefited from strong Aboriginal representation.

Since making his debut in 2005, Michael has cemented his place in the Fremantle side and credits other Aboriginal players, such as Jeff Farmer and Troy Cook, with showing him the ropes early on.

Michael, 23, is extremely proud of his Aboriginal heritage and is looking forward to playing alongside Antoni Grover and Farmer on Saturday against Carlton as Fremantle's indigenous representatives.

"My family and the elders are very happy to have a round dedicated to Aboriginal people … For myself, I'm proud to be Aboriginal and to be part of it," Michael said.

"I really enjoy going to the indigenous camps every second year, and every other player around the AFL does as well, to get together and have a bit of fun. It's great to see so many indigenous players in the AFL and there will be many more in the coming years."

Right from its inception, Fremantle has been home to a host of Aboriginal footballers and Michael is proud to carry on that tradition now.

"As soon as I was drafted, Jeff Farmer and Troy Cook took me aside as the older Aboriginal players and taught me about AFL football and what the club expects of me. They also made sure I knew that if I needed help off the field they were always there for me," he said.

"There have always been five or six [Aboriginal players] at Fremantle. When the club first started back in 1995 there was (Scott) Chisholm, (Winston) Abraham and (Gary) Dhurrkay, so it's always been like that.

"It's great to have a few more Aboriginal boys at the club. We are all called the 'brothers' and love playing together."

Michael’s elevation into senior ranks was not armchair ride, however. He was taken in the 2004 pre-season draft, played all of 2004 with Perth in the WAFL and emerged as a versatile player of real quality.

Perth Coach Stan Magro used him as a key defender and forward to great effect, and Michael credits Magro's influence for helping him grow and mature as a player.

After getting his chance in 2005 in the AFL, Michael stepped up with a brilliant 2006 season to finish second in the club's best and fairest. It was midway through the year that he began to believe in his abilities and feel comfortable at the highest level.

Though versatile, the defender is hoping to remain at the back of Fremantle’s line-up.

"I'm versatile, so I can play wherever the coach wants me to play, but I'd like to settle in the back line," he said.

"I enjoy playing in the midfield and up forward to kick goals when I can. My best position is in defence, as I like to read the play, run off and create. Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden, Antoni Grover and Steven Dodd are great to play alongside and we are a tight group."

Fremantle has played reasonably good football this season but just fallen short of winning. Michael is hoping to continue his own good form and to see the team start turning it around on Saturday.

"I started off pretty slow as I was getting my match fitness, but the last couple of weeks I've been happy with my form. It's just disappointing that we can't get a win as a group," he said.

"We are actually shocked with the results we've been having, especially with only being a goal or two away from the top sides. We had a good chance against Hawthorn, Geelong, Adelaide and the Bulldogs on the weekend, so we know we are a good side -- we just have to play for four quarters."