Jason Johannisen backs himself to withstand physical pressure from rival clubs

JASON Johannisen has endured a “bumpy ride” this season but has backed himself to withstand the physical pressure that has come in spades so far this year.

Jason Johannisen in action for the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

JASON Johannisen has endured a “bumpy ride” this season but has backed himself to withstand the physical pressure that has come in spades so far this year.

The Norm Smith Medallist has borne plenty of physicality from opposition players in recent weeks, with coach Luke Beveridge recently labelling the treatment “concerning” and called a hit laid on the speedster by Eagle Mark Hutchings “cowardly”.

But the 24-year-old said he now approaches games prepared for the focus he draws.

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“It’s obviously been a new challenge for me and it’s been a bit different,” Johannisen said.

“It’s been a bumpy ride. But I think that with the support from the coaches and my players, we’re starting to overcome it. I’m able to prepare for it and just have to back my strengths and keep working on my game to try and overcome it.”

But while he rejected the suggestion that some opposition players have crossed the line, he can’t be distracted by it.

Eagles players rough up Jason Johannisen in Round 15. Picture: Michael Klein

“We play a physical sport, so it’s nothing that we haven’t seen or done before,” he said.

“It’s just a bit of niggle and stuff like that. It’s footy, really.

“It’s not how I play my sort of game — the physical stuff that I receive, it doesn’t really faze me. I know it’s coming. I just try and focus on my job at hand and try and help the team get the win.”

Johannisen — who migrated from South Africa as a child — joined teammate Lin Jong at the Immigration Museum to launch the “Game Changers: Diversity in Football” exhibition.

The premiership playmaker recently signed a five-year deal to stay at the kennel and said despite speculation he could be on the move, it never crossed his mind.

And now that the deal is done, he said a weight has been lifted.

Jack Watts gets into Jason Johannisen. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“A lot of people were talking about it but personally I always knew that it was going to happen. Signing the dotted line definitely (has taken) a bit of weight off the shoulders,” he said.

The reigning premiers are currently 10th on the ladder — out of the eight only by percentage — and Johannisen admitted there has been frustration in the team’s inability to recapture their blistering 2016 form.

And he said they had been “jelled” by external commentary.

“(There’s) not a sense of disappointment, but it’s probably a little bit frustrating at times that we can’t play the way that we want to play," Johannisen said.

“Over the last two weeks, we’re building on that and we hopefully can get some momentum and take it in against Essendon this week.”

Tall Dog Jack Redpath was suspended following the team’s win over Gold Coast last weekend, meaning Travis Cloke — who has not played since taking a break in June to deal with his mental health — could be in the frame to be recalled for Sunday’s clash with Essendon.

“It would be great to have Trav back,” Johannisen said.

“He’s played the last couple of weeks in the VFL and seems to be really loving it and enjoying his footy. If he comes in this week, it would be a great bonus. Hopefully he can play really well and we can get a win for him.”