BRAD Johnson thinks Rex Hunt has a lot to answer for. In his colourful commentary style, Hunt dubbed Johnson ‘The Smiling Assassin’.

The nickname became too sensitive during the trial of Bali bomber Amrozi, so Hunt started calling the Bulldogs champion ‘The Grin Reaper’.

Not surprisingly, Johnson wasn't particularly enamoured with either moniker.

VIDEO: Watch Brad Johnson speak following his induction to the AFLHall of Fame.

Then in 2006, with Johnson enjoying a career-best season, Hunt observed that the Dogs' captain deserved to be "up there with the 'Macedonian Marvel' (Peter Daicos) and 'Lethal' Leigh (Matthews) in terms of the great small forwards".

When reminded about it, a typically humble Johnson scoffs at first, before saying: "Look, it's a huge call. I wasn't on the same level as those two, but it's nice that someone thought I might have been."

One man who shares Hunt's view is Rodney Eade – Johnson's former coach, who played with Matthews and against Daicos.

"They're certainly in rarefied air. They were different types but Brad compares favourably," Eade says.

"Peter was a mercurial player who could pull rabbits out of the hat. Brad had greater athleticism and running ability than the other two. He and Leigh could really mark too – Brad played above his height and was as a good mark for his size as I've seen.

"Like the others, Brad was very hard to stop."

PHOTO GALLERY: View AFL Photos' coverage of Brad Johnson's induction into the AFL Hall of Fame.

Particularly in that 2006 season, his first as full-time skipper, when he averaged almost 20 touches, seven marks and three goals a game, piloting the Bulldogs to the finals for the first time in six years.

Eade: "Until he started having Achilles problems in his last year, his output didn't fluctuate much. And '06 was above that – his consistency of elite output was incredible."

One of Eade's fondest 'Johnno' memories is of his 300th game, against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in round one, 2008, when the then 31-year-old kicked five second-half goals, including the Dogs' last three in the dying minutes, to conjure a three-point win.

"Normally players start to wane by that stage of their careers, but Brad was still a match-winner," Eade says.

Johnson partly credits Eade when explaining how he sustained such high performance over a club record of 364 games – including a league record of at least 21 games in 15 consecutive seasons.

"I learnt early on that it's about what you do when no one's watching," he says.

"And when 'Rocket' came along he emphasised that if you're going to succeed, you need a strong foundation as a player and a person. That's where your work rate, perseverance, recovery and preparation comes in. So rather than your performances varying between an eight (out of 10) and two, you don't drop below a five.

"At times you need the resilience to contribute when your body's not 100 per cent."

 

Johnson's versatility as a forward/midfielder made him an extremely valuable commodity.

He believes his main attributes were his work ethic, marking ability and combination of speed and endurance.

Even when he played as a permanent forward, he continued to train as a midfielder to give him a fitness advantage over defenders.

Johnson also readily volunteers that he had to constantly work on his kicking, defensive skills and ball handling below his knees.

"It's the team aspect that allows you to grow as an individual, and there's also the self-drive and passion for the game to become the best you can be. That passion hasn't left me," he says.

Eade was also keen to point out that "behind that smiling face was a terrific, determined leader who led by example, and challenged and influenced his teammates to greater deeds."

Unfortunately that didn't include a drought-breaking premiership. But Johnson has no regrets because they "gave it everything".

Johnson paid special tribute to his wife Donna and their children Ella, 11, and Jack, eight, for their support.