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Johnson to bow out

By Mr Dandalooa

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson has announced his AFL retirement at the end of the season after he was named a definite starter in Saturday night’s do-or-die semi-final against Sydney.

Johnson, who’s poor form was evident in the Bulldogs’ 62-point thrashing to Collingwood in the qualifying final at the MCG last Saturday night, has battled an Achilles tendon injury throughout his 2010 campaign.

At 34 years of aged, which included 362 senior appearances, the veteran said despite some discussions with head coach Rodney Eade it was time to call it a night.

“You need a full pre-season to have a real impact in this competition, especially when you’re 34 or 35 years of age,” Johnson said.

The durable player has only managed 13 games this season, but leaves an illusive career spanning 16 years and 558 goals.

Johnson said the announcement of his retirement was not timed to provide an emotional spur to lift the Bulldogs’ form, adding that even if the club could not claim the premiership he would still leave the game proud of having given it his all.

Eade said Johnson was a great servant of the club.

Deposed Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis has been a vocal critic of the retiring star, bagging him in August in his Herald Sun column.

Aker said the reality was Johnson was struggling “big time” and had become a passenger in the team he captains.

“I have had concerns about Johnno’s ability to get around a footy oval as far back as the start of last year,” Akermanis said.

“I wondered when the acid was going to be put on him as he just didn’t give enough back when the ball was in opposition hands.

“Of course there has been some good footy in that period, but the bad was starting to outweigh the good. His tackling has never been great for a captain of a footy team.”

Akermanis said Johnson’s form had been poor all season but he used to be one of the six or seven Bulldogs who could get the game back on his team’s terms by winning a one-on-one contest.

“He is now waiting for the team to play well so he can then jump on the bandwagon,” Aker added.

“Is he injured? Well, I think his achilles is stuffed and it is showing. It is not a good place to be coming to the end of a fabulous career. His body is now not to be trusted by him or his teammates.

“Do the coaches at Whitten Oval have the nuts to give him his marching orders? No way. He is safe.

“I hope I am wrong and Brad can finish with some good games. Mark my words though, this should be his last year.”