“Coming from the rookie list I didn’t really expect to get 50 games, but to get almost 50 games in a row – except for a collarbone injury – I’m really happy,” said Johnson in the lead up to this Friday’s clash with St Kilda.
Johnson has had a series of highlights since starting his AFL career, with last year’s premiership obviously topping the list. But he also cites the 2000 Ansett Cup victory and an early game against the Bulldogs.
“My fourth game against the Western Bulldogs was also a highlight, when I received the Norwich Rising Star award for that week, which had been a goal of mine. Just playing footy with blokes I enjoy being with is a highlight.”
Johnson said the Grand Final was just as exciting as the first time he ran on the field for the Bombers.
“The Grand Final was a lot more nerve-wracking I think. The first game I felt comfortable and felt I wanted to be there and everything, but the premiership came along quickly and because of my injury I didn’t know whether I was going to play or not. But they are about on par.”
Johnson suffered a broken collarbone early in the 2000 season and was under a cloud for the remainder of the season. But after coming back after eight weeks he has not missed a game.
“The collarbone injury was a pretty steep learning experience,” said Johnson. “I didn’t have my eyes completely on the ball and I worried too much about the player –and trying to hit him - and came off second best. So I’ll keep my eyes well and truly on the ball know and just go through with the ball, rather than break a collarbone! Before the collarbone I hadn’t missed a game in something like six years.”
In 50 games Johnson has earned a reputation as a hard man, a style that he developed after missing the draft after his first rookie year.
“I was always an on-baller, but when I didn’t get drafted I brought that into my game. I hated getting beaten and I was going to prove that I wasn’t going to get beaten by anyone. Ever since then I’ve wanted to get the ball if I haven’t got it and, if I have, I want to do something with it.”
The club encouraged Johnson’s new style and he has focused on keeping it part of his game.
“You need different sorts of players in the team. I’d like to think that I’m in that group of harder players like Jason Johnson and Dean Solomon and James Hird. They do encourage it and I like doing it,” he said.
Johnson has benefited from starting his career with such a strong team and the guidance of assistant coaches Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson and Mark Harvey.
“It’s easy to look good when you have got good people around you. The way they deliver the ball to you makes things a hell of a lot easier than it would be with a lesser team.
“Bomber Thompson was responsible for drafting me, which I’m really pleased about and honoured, because if someone like Bomber Thompson likes you then you are going alright. And Mark Harvey took over after Bomber left and pushed to get me on the list, and that’s when Kevin Sheedy put me on.”
On the field, Johnson admires the work of James Hird and Jason Johnson and aims at developing a similar style of game.
“I’m influenced by the players who like to go in and get the ball more so than the guys who like to receive it. You are always influenced by the way people play, so you have a look at them and the way they attack the footy and approach their football. You try and take a little from everyone and try and do the same.”
