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- Sep 10, 2015
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Peel Thunder coach Geoff Valentine on highly-rated draftee Matt Johnson after his best game at WAFL level
Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Peel Thunder coach Geoff Valentine says Fremantle have drafted a “wonderful” player in Matt Johnson after his breakout WAFL performance against East Perth on Saturday.
The smooth-moving Subiaco product was one of the best players on ground in the 53-point win, using the ball with class and composure in the wet as he continues to build towards an AFL debut.
The 19-year-old kickstarted the Thunder’s game with a stunning long-range goal from inside the centre square in the opening two minutes and finished with a season-high 25 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s.
Valentine felt Johnson, who’s been gradually building after a long-term foot injury derailed his first pre-season at Cockburn, had all the attributes to make it at the top level.
“He does some elite things. He’s going to be wonderful player, I’ve got absolutely no doubt about that,” Valentine said.
“He’s got that ability to move through traffic but keep going forward and use the football.
“He’s highly skilled, a wonderful athlete and a really nice young fella as well.
Matt Johnson at Freo training. Credit: Tom Fee/Fremantle FC
“He’s just got to keep building and putting runs on the board but he’s certainly tracking in the right way.
“Freo have got a good one there, there’s no doubt and it.”
Valentine said Johnson’s time would come from an AFL berth is he keeps doing what he’s doing.
The 191cm midfielder was one of the shocks of the national draft last year when he slid to the second round despite interest inside the top 10.
Fremantle were quick to pounce on day two of the draft with their prized first pick of the second round, joining former Subiaco teammate Neil Erasmus (pick 10) and East Perth sharpshooter Jye Amiss (pick eight) who were snapped up on the opening day.
He’s already signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until at least the end of 2025.
“He’s just got to keep going what he’s doing,” Valentine said.
“He missed three months at the start of the year with that foot injury which robbed him of a full pre-season.
“It’s probably taken him three or four games to build that up.”
The Thunder jumped into the top-five heading into the bye after their win over the Royals with tough assignments against South Fremantle and Claremont to come.
Not every day you get a Ross Lyon tweet
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Media thread's locked so putting in here, very interesting account of Lyon's last days at St Kilda and how he ended up being lured across to us back in 2011.
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Ross Lyon's In-Depth Explanation On Why He Left St Kilda For Fremantle In 2011
On the Sunday Rub.
Freo are the 2022 road warriors:
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