#26 Ben Johnson

[j2roc]

Born: 5th April 1981​

I have high hope for Ben this year. Reports he has given up the booze and the reality that this may be his last chance to impress should hopefully lead to a big season. He has been training the house down and I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes in his first hit out this Saturday against the Eagles.​

From Collingwoodfc.com.au​

Draft history:
1999 AFL Draft 5th round selection (Collingwood) No. 62 overall​

Career
Now a veteran of 171 matches after making his debut in 2000, Johnson has developed into a fine ball-winning midfielder after beginning his career as a running defender. Twice a runner-up in the Copeland Trophy voting (2004 and 2006), Johnson was an important member of the team's grand final teams of 2002 and 2003. An indifferent 2008 season will test the midfielder’s commitment but a strong preseason should see Johnson regain his form.​

2008 season
The midfielder/defender played 16 consecutive games before seeing out the season in the VFL side. It was arguably a patchy year for Johnson who shined in the round 13 loss against the Western Bulldogs collecting 23 disposals, eight marks and used the ball with a 93% effectiveness rate. He was also named as one of the best in round’s 11 and 12. A healthy preseason is what Johnson needs to regain his form for 2009.​

Wiki page here​

Stats here​

 

[j2roc]

I know it was only a pre season match but didn't he look good!! Kicked three goals but was only awarded two and had 19 touches most of them effective. We are a better team when he is up and running. Let's hope he carries this form into round one.

 

[j2roc]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25045769-19742,00.html

• REBORN Magpie Ben Johnson has revealed he lost the passion to play AFL football last year.

While the Alan Didak-Heath Shaw scandal dominated proceedings at the Lexus Centre, the struggle of one of Collingwood's most important players went largely unnoticed.
After a brutal end-of-season heart to heart with coach Mick Malthouse and a major revamp of his lifestyle, Johnson is enjoying life again.
"I lost a lot of passion last year," the 27-year-old said yesterday. "I wasn't enjoying my footy at all."
Johnson, who finished equal second in the Copeland Trophy in 2006, was dumped after the Magpies were thrashed by Essendon in Round 17 and wasn't seen again.
He isn't exactly sure what triggered his career crisis, although he thinks the rigours of playing AFL football may have simply worn him down.
"I really don't know what happened, to tell you the truth," Johnson said.
"I was pretty sore, I had a few niggling injuries, which were pretty painful throughout the week, and I just lost my way, really lost the passion to play.
"I got dropped after the Essendon game, I played in the reserves and then got injured, which put me out for four weeks.
"Then I just really wasn't fit enough to come back in."
Contributing to the problems with his body was a lifestyle that wasn't conducive to playing at the highest level.
"You could say my lifestyle caught up with me a little bit. I've always been a fan of having a beer and eating a lot as well," Johnson said.
Everything changed after he sat down with Malthouse.
"We had a pretty honest and open discussion at the end of the year where a lot of home truths came out," he said.
"He has always been brutally honest with me and that is all you can ask for. That was probably the best chat I have ever had with him.
"Mick set me a fair challenge . . . I didn't want to come to the end of my career and, I suppose, be delisted.
"I want to end it on my terms. I don't want to have any excuses. I want to make sure I have done everything possible."
The first major change was to his diet and alcohol intake, which has been reduced to virtually zero.
Johnson admitted to being surprised how different he felt from day one of the pre-season.
"It's all about what you put in your body. I still eat a lot but it is all good food," he said.
"I'm weighing the same (82kg) but I've got my skinfold reading down to between 43 and 45. I have never played under 55 before.
"The main thing is I feel like I have really got my pace back as well."
That was evident in Saturday night's NAB Cup victory against West Coast at Subiaco Oval with Johnson collecting possessions at will in the first half, including two goals in the opening term.
The performance moved his former captain Nathan Buckley, who was doing commentary for Channel 7, to declare that the 171-game defender was one of the most important players at the club.
Johnson isn't getting carried away as he knows how quickly things can turn.
"The big difference is if you are enjoying your footy, then you play well. If you don't, then you play like s--t pretty much," he said.
"Thankfully I have got the passion back, but it's only early though. One game isn't going to do it."

 

[Pie eyed]

I have to post this MM quoe here as it made me laugh.

“Ben has been much maligned as far as his helicopters go but we've learnt to catch the ball side-on, so that's a bonus.” MM

So everyone stop complaining about his disposal.

 

[Pie eyed]

Johhno is coming into some superb form and we all all be happy he is.

Much maligned, but undeniably a part of our 44 in any flag tilt.

The fact that this thread has not been updated for some time is proof he just gets on with it in a workman-like manner, doing what we need him to.