Jason Johnson produced one of the games of his life against the Kangaroos at the MCG last Sunday. He collected 31 quality possessions and kicked four goals - together with Matthew Lloyd and James Hird he was responsible for turning the game on its head. Johnson's performance came on top of another best-on-ground performance against Geelong at Colonial Stadium. He is arguably the best mid-fielder in the competition right now, almost certain to earn All Australian selection and being touted as a Brownlow Medal by some.

Johnson has had a sensational first 15 rounds of the season. Last season in 25 games Johnson collected 466 possessions at an average of 18.6 per game. In 2001 he has collected 337 at an average of 22.5 per game. The most significant statistic is in terms of goals – in 2000 Johnson kicked 14 for the entire season. After 15 games this year he has already surpassed that figure and has 17. Quality on-ballers contribute in front of goal and that is what Johnson is doing.

Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey said there is no doubt that Johnson is playing the best football of his career. ""His running ability has improved about 15% - at times last season we had to take him from the ground because he was tiring but he has just kept going this year and hasn't looked like stopping,"" Harvey said. ""The fact he can do that has really helped him confidence-wise. He knows that he has the capacity to run and that if he's doing the job he won't find himself on the bench.""

“It is getting to the stage where opposition sides will look at putting their best tagger on Jason and that is a real compliment. It has a two-fold effect for us. Johnson has shown he can break tags as he did against the Kangaroos but if opposition sides tag him it might release Joe Misiti. If that happens it can be a real win-win situation for us,” Harvey said.

“His goal-kicking has really added a string to his bow this year and that has basically come about because he has the ability to work in and under but also to find space. He has found space through the middle and kicked some very good goals for us. That was something he didn’t do as much last season,” Harvey said.

Johnson has been excellent for the Bombers at stoppages this season where his excellent understanding with the ruckman has seen him win plenty of the ball. Last Sunday Johnson cleared the ball from the centre an amazing 13 times – significantly 12 of those came in the last three quarters of the match. “He is playing with a real determination this season and setting a terrific example for his teammates,” Harvey said.