Matt Johnston claims the Henderson Medal for the first time

Brett Bewley’s reign as Henderson Medallist is over after Matt Johnston claimed the award for the first time. The East Point captain reveals how he changed his game to succeed.

Matt Johnston won his first Henderson Medal on Monday. Picture: East Point Football Netball Club.

East Point captain Matt Johnston admits a bit of reflection last season about the way he plays the game helped him to become this year’s Henderson Medallist in the Ballarat league.

The Kangaroos midfielder won the prestigious honour on Monday night at the Ballarat league’s night of nights.

Johnston polled 26 votes to end the dominance of former AFL player, Darley’s Brett Bewley who won the previous two awards.

“I definitely was taken back,” he said after the win.

“My mates were more confident than I was.

“In the past if I got my hopes up it didn’t eventuate.

“I tried to keep a clear mind but nerves at the end got the better of me.”

But this year was his year.

Johnston played all 16 games in the regular season and was in the best players in 13 of them.

He also kicked 22 goals, his best haul in the league.

The midfielder said a focus on his game and what the club had done in recruiting helped him to focus more on his outside game, rather than his inside game.

Matt Johnston won his first Henderson Medal on Monday. Picture: East Point Football Netball Club.

While he added he wasn’t neglecting the inside game, others around the club enabled him to provide more support in other areas including the forward line and to get more uncontested ball.

“I looked at the game and thought I don’t have to put my head over the ball as much,” he revealed.

“Getting that balance between inside and outside really worked.

“I could push forward and try to get a bit more of the uncontested football.

“Stats wise my numbers were increasing.

“My score involvements, score assists, obviously goals as well, definitely tripled if not more than that (during the year).

“In influence on the game I definitely felt more comfortable in that sense (to attract votes).”

Johnston’s focus is now on helping East Point win the premiership.

It would be his third title with the club if the Kangaroos defeat Melton on Saturday at City Oval.

It’s also going to be a special game for the midfielder.

“This is my 100th game come Saturday,” Johnston revealed.

“This is a milestone I’m looking forward to and it’s my birthday on Saturday as well.

“In 2018 it was my birthday on the same day and I had a best on ground as well (as a premiership win).”

He said the best and fairest win would not have been without the support of his family and East Point.

Joe Carmody, who is locked in to coach East Point next year, won the Ballarat league coach of the year. Picture: East Point Football Netball Club.

“I want to thank mum, she has been my number one support and had my back through thick and thin on and off the field,” Johnston said.

“She’s been the voice in your head just saying keep on going.

“(To East Point) thanks for backing me, essentially, you make my job incredibly easy to go and play football.

“It’s what I love to do.”

It was a good night for East Point with Joe Carmody also taking out coach of the year.

For Carmody it was the second time he’s taken out the award after also claiming the title in 2022.