WESTERN Bulldogs speedster Jason Johannisen has renewed contract talks with the reigning premiers after a scintillating start to the AFL season.
The Norm Smith medallist put negotiations on hold earlier in the year as the AFL and the players' union continue to thrash out a new agreement which could substantially increase player salaries.
Asked on Thursday about Johannisen's contract, coach Luke Beveridge said talks with the defender's management had been going on for the past month.
He said the initial pause in negotiations had come about because Johannisen's management had wanted to wait until the end of the season, but since then there had been "some good discussions.
"He's such an important person and player at our football club, so we're doing everything we can to get that deal done," Beveridge said.
Johannisen is due to come out of contract at the end of 2017, but will be one year shy of qualifying for free agency.
AFL.com.au’s Nick Bowen reported in March that Johannisen's manager, Tim Galic of SMA Sports Agents, had stopped negotiations with the Dogs because the parties remained a long way apart over the terms of a new contract.
Some club sources believed at the time that the West Australian was seeking up to $700,000 a season to re-sign with the Bulldogs.
A product of East Fremantle, Johannisen had been expected to draw plenty of interest from across the competition - especially the West Australian clubs - but the 24-year-old said he was relishing the opportunity to be part of the Bulldogs' premiership defence.
"I've never been a part of a football team that's so close - it's pretty special," he said.
"What we achieved last year has sort of gone behind us. The new challenges that have brought us here today and the new journey that we're going to go across this year has kept the group pretty excited, and we just can't wait."
After an exemplary finals campaign, Johannisen has continued to deliver for the Bulldogs, averaging 26 disposals per game and providing important run-and-carry off half-back.
With coach Luke Beveridge preaching the need for versatility, Johannisen has looked to spend more time on the wing and up forward after spending most of last year in the backline.
"You're always looking at ways to improve, so you can't be too happy with yourself, but I'm in a great place at the minute," Johannisen said.
"I've got a lot of confidence in my ability and I'm just looking to use my strengths."
The Bulldogs have shown glimpses of brilliance and an unrivalled ability to close out games on their way to a 4-1 record but are yet to replicate the ferocity of last year's inspired finals campaign.
They will face a major test on Friday night when they travel to Canberra to face Greater Western Sydney - a side they narrowly edged in a fierce and gripping preliminary final last year.
"All the hype of a prelim - obviously it's going to be extra pressure because you know what's going to be at stake," Johannisen said.
"It was a very high-pressure game and it was probably exciting to watch. They've got great talent and it's going to take our best to win."
Listen to AFL Exchange
On this week's podcast the boys discuss:
• Why the umpires put away the whistle on Anzac Day
• Do Melbourne's ruck woes mean it's time for a mid-season draft?
• Will an AFL reserves competition return?
