Fremantle midfielder Matthew Johnson wants to make his own name in the AFL

Matthew Johnson has heard all about the David Mundy comparisons. But he wants to carve out his own place in Freo history, writes ELIZA REILLY.

Matthew Johnson has had an impressive start to his AFL career. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

His poise under pressure. His astute decision-making. His ability to seemingly slow, even stop, time.

Matthew Johnson has heard all about the David Mundy comparisons.

But he wants to carve out his own place in Fremantle history.

“Obviously I don’t want to be known as a David Mundy 2.0. I want to be my own player,” Johnson told CODE Sports. “But to be compared to someone like him is a great pat on the back in some ways. I have a lot of respect for how he went about his footy.

“Dave was a great player and I tried to learn as much as I could off him and how he went about it in the one year we shared at the club.

“Coming from David himself is pretty surreal.”

Mundy, Fremantle’s games record-holder after retiring on 376 appearances last year, agrees. Just one centimetre separates the pair of towering midfielders. But Mundy has tipped Johnson to emerge as a star in his own right.

Johnson has been compared to former Dockers captain David Mundy.

“He’s going to be better than me, I reckon,” Mundy told Channel 10 earlier this year. “He’s shown so much promise. He seems to have the physical attributes … the speed, endurance, and he’s a beautiful kick.”

Johnson has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise dour season for the Dockers, playing 13 games so far. But his career to date has been anything but easy.

It started back on draft night of 2021. The Subiaco product was one of three prospects invited to an exclusive first round function at RAC Arena. Future teammates Jye Amiss and Neil Erasmus were also in the room while around Australia, guaranteed first round prospects attended private events.

Johnson was the only player not drafted on that night. As scenes of jubilation unfolded around the country as players tried on their new colours, Johnson was consoled by family and friends.

It’s been nearly two years since that night and when Johnson was subsequently picked up by the Dockers with the first pick of the second round. Though time hasn’t yet healed all.

“There’s part of me that still reflects on that,” Johnson admitted. “I do keep a little mental note of the teams that overlooked me. But it doesn’t affect how I go about it.

“I’m super happy to be at Fremantle and the opportunity I have to play there. It might still give me a little bit of motivation but I’m also motivated enough as it is to play my role for the team.”

Johnson made his debut in round three and has been a mainstay in the team since. Picture: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Desperate to impress, Johnson threw everything at his first AFL pre-season. But it was over before it had even really started. Johnson suffered a hairline fracture in his foot in February and was forced to undergo surgery. He wouldn’t return to football until May, spending the remainder of the season with Peel Thunder.

“I somehow rolled my ankle at training which caused the fracture in my foot and the surgery was to remove a bone fragment,” Johnson said.

“It’s why I ended up being out for so long because the doctors didn’t actually know at first what was wrong with it. There was a bit of debate about what the best option was. But I ended up having surgery and it was a long recovery process.

“There was a tendon involved so that had to heal completely before I could start training again. So I spent a lot of time cross-training and trying to improve myself in other ways.”

It made Johnson’s debut in round three this year worth the wait.

Initially overlooked in round one despite what coach Justin Longmuir described as a “monstrous pre-season”, Johnson forced his way into the side on the back of a 38-disposal pre-season game against his former club Subiaco.

“My mindset didn’t change across pre-season. I just tried to get the most out of every day. I built a bit more confidence as pre-season went on and knew I could match it with the guys who were playing in the AFL team,” he said.

“You never like to be left out of the team. I didn’t see it as a setback though. I just went back to Peel and tried to play well in a few practice matches so I could give them a reason to pick me.

“I learnt a lot from last year and it put into perspective how exciting it was for me to finally get the opportunity to play. Waiting that extended period of time made it more special. Running out in purple is something I’ve always dreamt of.”

Matthew Johnson has been offered a two-match suspension for this tackle on Dayne Zorko. pic.twitter.com/An18iweEys

— AFL (@AFL) April 30, 2023

Johnson has missed just two games since, receiving a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko.

Even then, Johnson was straight back into the team a fortnight later. And as the season has unfolded, Johnson has transformed from a nice addition to a necessity.

Nat Fyfe’s latest injury has paved the way for Johnson to play an even bigger role in Fremantle’s midfield mix.

“I relish the opportunity to take on those roles,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to take a backwards step.

“Lining up against the premier midfielders in the competition is pretty surreal. But it’s the reality of it all. I’ve grown up idolising these opposition players but you can’t really get caught up getting overwhelmed by who you’re playing against.

“I look up to the likes of Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps and how they go about it. They play similar roles to me. They’re taller midfielders. And they’re challenging to play on.

“You have your good weeks and bad weeks but I’ve been trying to become as consistent as I can with my preparation.”

Originally published as Fremantle midfielder Matthew Johnson wants to make his own name in the AFL