ON BALL BRIGADE

By Matt Fotia

Prized Yarra Junction recruit David Johnson says that the Eagles on-ball brigade are the reason for their current form – and the key to their chances of repeating their 2018 premiership glory. 

Fresh off a convincing 88 point victory over the previously undefeated Kinglake, Johnson spoke on Yarra Valley FM 99.1 as the Uncle Jack Watches Player of the Match, and praised the efforts of the Yarra Junction midfield, who were led brilliantly by Brad Clark and Ewan Wadsworth who kicked five goals.

Well done to David Johnson from The Yarra Junction Eagles for winning the UNCLE JACK watch for the player of the day, with four majors and countless marks in his sides 88 point win over Kinglake!#AFLOEDIV2 pic.twitter.com/rW5ZI8sdBm

— AFL OUTER EAST (@AFL_OE) June 8, 2019

“It’s good (the Yarra Junction midfield), at Norwood in 2014 we had a great on ball set up, but these guys are up there, they run hard both ways and use it well.

“Ewan Wadsworth is one of the better players I’ve played with.”

Johnson crossed over to the Eagles during the off-season after spending a lengthy period of time with the Norwood Football Club in the Eastern Football League, winning a Division One Premiership with the Norsemen in 2014. 

He believes the strength of the midfield and their aggressive style of play will be the two key factors in Yarra Junction’s quest for back to back glory.

“We take the game on and we’ve got some quick players, we know if we get it forward, we’ve got some good small forwards as well.

“If anyone can stop our on-ballers then good on them, I don’t think playing home or away effects it, if teams can stop our on-ballers that’ll be why we lose.

“The Round One loss (to Powelltown) was a really good reality check for the boys, we were a bit arrogant, after the way 2018 finished and we needed an early loss.

“Holmesy (John Holmes) said last year we peaked at the right time of the year and we need to make sure we are gradually building into the season and make our way up to the right level and we got there today, that was our best performance.”

Johnson has had an impressive start to his Yarra Junction career kicking 24 goals across the opening seven rounds and appearing in the best players on multiple occasions.

Yarra Junction are looking the goods once again in 2019. Photo – BH Photography

“I’m absolutely loving it here, the blokes are good and at the moment we are playing some really good footy, so it’s easy to enjoy.”