Johnstone was the first selection in the
1997 AFL draft and made his debut in the 1998 season. Johnstone took time to develop into a star player for Melbourne, and for some time was criticised in the football media for underachieving as a number 1 draft selection. In 2002 he finished equal fourth in
Brownlow Medal voting, and in 2005 he won his first Melbourne Best and Fairest Award, the
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal, and he led the AFL in total kicks. Johnstone gradually developed into a midfielder possessing terrific vision and skill, who in 2006 for the second year in a row, led the team in the Brownlow Medal, with 11 votes. During the year he accumulated 469 disposals at 21 an outing, which included first for inside 50s (87) and third for rebounds from 50 (55), and was also 5th in tackles (77). In 2007 Johnstone struggled to capture his best form and was not helped by an Achilles tendon injury holding him to only 15 games. Johnstone produced a career-high 42 disposals in what would be his final game for the Demons in round 22 against
Carlton. Throughout his career at Melbourne, Travis Johnstone was recognised as one of the AFL's most dangerous and talented midfielders; however, he often struggled for consistency, and finished in the
Truscott Medal top ten only twice. ==Trade to the Brisbane Lions==