Johnson Finally Lets Go Of The Pain
Sun Herald
Sunday June 29, 2008
FORMER Bomber Mark Johnson said he would achieve closure when he lines up against his old side for his 200th AFL game.
Fremantle threw Johnson a lifeline at the end of last season when Essendon coach Matthew Knights told the 30-year-old that after nine seasons and 194 games in the black and red his services were no longer required at Windy Hill. In a twist, Johnson will notch his 200-game milestone against his former club when Fremantle tackle Essendon at Subiaco Oval today. "I think it will give me a bit of closure," Johnson said. "It was pretty disappointing in the way I left Essendon. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the staff there, the physios, doctors, players and, most of all, the supporters, who were fantastic for me. "Growing up as a young fella in Sunbury, I didn't ever think ... I'd ever have the opportunity to play 200 games, let alone be living on the other side of the country and getting it over at Fremantle. It's a dream and something I'm very proud of."But Johnson's time at Fremantle has been far from smooth sailing. A knee injury in round one followed by a two-week suspension in the WAFL, where he was trying to regain match fitness, has restricted the premiership midfielder to only five games for the Dockers. But he has played the past three games and said he was feeling as good as ever. "I'm running a lot better than I have for a long time. My fitness now is exactly where I want it to be," Johnson said. Johnson was recruited to the Dockers on a one-year deal.
© 2008 Sun Herald