The then 22-year-old Rampe, who arrived at the club only months earlier via pick 37 in the 2012 Rookie Draft, was sitting on the bench at Blacktown International Sportspark when he was called on to replace Johnson, who was helped off the field with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Fast forward six months and the Clovelly-based player has become a regular in defence for the Swans playing 23 senior games and was awarded the 2013 Rising Star Award for his remarkable rise this season.
Speaking to SwansTV after receiving the honour at Friday night’s Club Champion dinner, Rampe said Johnson’s unfortunate injury created an opportunity that he just had to take.
“I remember when (Johnson’s injury) happened out at Blacktown and I was sitting on the bench,” Rampe said.
“Literally (Johnson) was coming off on the stretcher and I ran out on the ground and I knew that it was going to be my chance, so I grabbed it with both hands.
“That’s probably what I’m most proud of this year, the fact that I did do that and that I was able to play a pretty key role.”
Rampe’s first senior game came only weeks later when he was selected for the Swans’ round one clash with GWS at ANZ Stadium.
After being omitted from the side in round two and missing out on selection in round three, he was recalled for the Swans’ round four clash with Geelong and went on to play every other match for the season, including the club’s three finals.
After beginning the season with a collection of small goals, Rampe said he was thrilled about what he was able to achieve in 2013.
“I’m really ecstatic and just really proud of what I’ve done this year,” Rampe said about his season.
“I was speaking to Adam (Spencer) out there (on stage) and I remember speaking to him after round one when I had one game and I was content with that really.
“I just wanted to get on a list and get a senior spot, so to be able to play 23 games is just an absolute dream come true.
“To get a little trophy to top it off is just the icing on the cake.”
Rampe, who played for Williamstown for two seasons in the VFL before coming home to play in the Sydney Football League in 2012, said his greatest improvements for the Swans this season were his one-on-one contests and his ‘defend-first’ attitude.
“I think developing my defensive game was the main thing,” he said.
“I’d come from the Sydney league where I was more of an attacking player and I just wanted to play my role and I didn’t have to do anything too special, just stop my man and compete.”
The young defender said he was looking forward to building on his game this pre-season ahead of the 2014 season.
“I think I’ve really set a good foundation for me to build upon for next year.”
