Jason Johannisen will have a big task on Sunday against West Coast, providing run and carry on the expansive grounds of Patersons Stadium - but Western Bulldogs’ Development Coach Ashley Hansen believes the 20-year-old is set for the challenge.
The running defender has come of age this season, providing plenty of rebound from the Bulldogs’ back half and is growing in confidence with every match.
“JJ is starting to really mature as a player, and even just his calmness and his composure to make a decision and assess options down the field and then make the right decision is really important,” Hansen said.
“He is maturing really well JJ,[he’s] still got a lot of work to do but he is really buying into the program at the moment, so hopefully we will see the best of him soon.
“It is going to be even more important this week going over to Subiaco which is a big ground which needs some run and carry.”
A highlight of Johannisen’s standout game against Geelong on Saturday was his ball use – playing out the game with 79.2% disposal efficiency from 24 possessions (18 kicks).
His six rebound 50s and four inside 50s also proved he was a catalyst in a number of the Bulldogs offensive plays.
“It’s so important in that part of the ground that our backs do use the ball well and going at 80% was definitely a highlight,” Hansen said.
“I think his balance between his rebounds from 50 and going inside 50 was up too, which was really good - because as much as he has a defensive job, if he can start our attacks from back there it is going to be really important to the side having success.”
While speed is by far Johannisen’s greatest asset, Hansen said the East Fremantle recruit still needed to hone his defensive craft and remain accountable as part of the back six.
“First and foremost, JJ’s gotta keep working on his one on one defence… he’s going to be on some pretty quick forwards, so [the] defensive side of his game is probably his number one thing he has to focus on at the moment,” he said.
“But on the back of that, as soon as we win the football back [or] we get a turnover, we want him really getting involved and use his leg speed and run and carry out of defence, because it is so important.
“We have a couple of good stoppers in (Dale Morris) Moz and (Liam Picken) Picko down there, so we need his creativity to… give us balance in our back six.”
With just seven games under his belt, Johannisen has made strides in his development this season, and is quickly becoming an integral member in the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
