The Western Bulldogs champion was ecstatic as West Australian Jarrod Pickett, one of the program's brightest talents, blew everyone away in the 20m sprint and agility tests.

Victorian Hugh Goddard, cousin of Essendon's Brendon, also created a stir with his vertical jump test result, while GWS academy member Liam Griffiths took out the 3km time trial at Aegis Park in North Melbourne.

Johnson, an assistant coach at the Academy in years past, took over the top job from Michael O'Loughlin, who was appointed as coach of the Sydney Swans academy late last year. 

He told AFL.com.au it was his role to maximise the already impressive talent of his players.

"It's now up to us as coaches to make sure they use the strengths they've got to really excel and stand out on match day," he said.

"All the players have got a lot to learn over the next 12 months. They've all got some tricks, but ultimately it's a lot more than that.

"You can't just rely on those aspects of your game and that's why the other assistant coaches that we've got around can help shape these guys as well."

Overseeing that process will be Johnson, with support from assistants and specialist coaches including Glen Jakovich, Matthew Lloyd, Tadhg Kennelly and Brad Ottens.

Johnson will combine his role at the top of the Academy with his specialist comments role on Fox Footy channel this year.

The former Bulldog hopes the two can mesh together and aid him in building up the required skills to find a coaching job at AFL level in the near future.

"I enjoy that aspect of it … they both work hand in hand and hopefully they can help me to achieve what I'm hoping to do post-playing."

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