Western Bulldogs speedster Jason Johannisen has described his past 12 months in the AFL as a “crazy experience”.
Johannisen was part of the Bulldogs drought-breaking premiership last season, playing a starring role in the grand final side to earn the Norm Smith Medal for best-on-ground.
The rebounding half back flanker recently signed a long term contract extension that will likely see him stay a “Bulldog for life”.
Johannisen’s achievements and journey have now been highlighted in the ‘Game Changers: Diversity in Football’ exhibition at the Immigration Museum in the city, along with teammate Lin Jong.
Johannisen is a South African-born player, while Jong is of East Timorese and Taiwanese descent.
Items from Johannisen’s and Jong’s early years are on display at the museum, including Johannisen’s medals from last season.
“With this exhibition in the museum, I’ve learnt a lot about myself and the journey I’ve taken to become who I am right now and what I’ve been able to achieve,” Johannisen said.
“It’s been pretty awesome and it’s something that I’ll definitely cherish.”
Johannisen ended months of speculation about his playing future when he recommitted to the Western Bulldogs for a further five seasons until the end of 2022.
The 24-year-old revealed the main hold up in getting his signature on a contract with the Bulldogs was the conclusion of the collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the AFL Players Association.
“With the CBA negotiations, we wanted that to be finalised, it’s just the standard process,” Johannisen said. “A lot of people were talking about it, but personally I always knew that it was going to happen.
“I’ve lived in Melbourne the last seven years now, I love Melbourne, I love the football club and even my parents don’t want me back in Perth, so it was always going to be with the Dogs.”
With the individual success has come extra scrutiny for Johannisen.
His game is picked apart by the media and opposition coaches are putting more time into his game.
Opponents are also trying to take his mind off the job with physically intimidation even before the ball has been bounced.
Johannisen admits that it is a new challenge for him to be tagged as a defender, but it is something he is working through with the help of his coaches and teammates.
“We play a physical sport, so it’s nothing we haven’t seen or done before,” he said.
“I’m able to prepare for it and I have to back my strengths and keep working on my game to overcome it.”
The Western Bulldogs remain out of the top eight on percentage, but Johannisen believes consecutive wins over Carlton and Gold Coast Suns have breathed new life into the campaign.
The Bulldogs will face Essendon in a massive game at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the winner to significantly boost their chances of reaching the finals.
“Hopefully we’ve got some momentum and we can take it into Essendon this week,” Johannisen said.
