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NEW BLUE Chris Johnson was breathing a sigh of relief late on Friday night.

The 23-year-old had just played his first game for his new club, and it had been a success.

Johnson had 12 possessions, two tackles and kicked a rare goal in the Blues' landslide 53-point win over last year's finalists North Melbourne.

"I was just rapt to get the opportunity, and then it was awesome to get such a good win with the boys for my first game," the former Demon told carltonfc.com.au after the Telstra Dome match.

Not surprisingly, the half-back wingman couldn't wipe the smile from his face after completing a smooth transition between clubs.

"At the moment, I couldn't ask for anything more," he said.

"I was looking for a second life, Carlton put their hand up, and I was really grateful.

"Ratts (coach Brett Ratten) has given me a really good opportunity now and I've got to work really hard to make sure I have a spot in round one.

"Tonight I was lucky enough to kick a goal, which was really good.

"Nick Stevens gave it to me and I thought he was going to kick it himself, so it was great to get me into the game."

Johnson said moving clubs after his relationship with Melbourne soured over contract disputes had given him a whole new lease on life, particularly as his new teammates were quick to embrace him.

"It's been great coming to a new club with all these great players around me," he said.

"Just being here has given me more motivation to train and play. I always want to play, but it's basically just given me a new life.

"I've got a heap of energy just getting around each day."

He said it was simply "amazing" to train alongside players like Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola at his new home, and to also learn from some of the club's lesser lights.

"Just to play with even [Marc] Murphy and [Bryce] Gibbs and Nick Stevens and Kade Simpson – you can keep reeling off the names," he said.

"It's been great."

Johnson described Friday night's win as a great one, as he feels alterations to the game plan he witnessed the Blues use in 2008 have begun to take shape.

"There's only one way for us to go now and that's up, so we've got to keep heading in that direction," he said.

"Ratts has implemented some new tactics, which I think is helping the side.

"There are also some new players coming in. Mitch Robinson played really well tonight and guys like him are just changing the team.

"It's an exciting place to be."

Dream Team watch – Chris Johnson is rated a $338,100 defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.