BRAD Johnson is the new AIS-AFL Academy coach, with the Western Bulldogs great taking the reins of the prestigious development program.

 

Johnson, who has been an assistant coach with the Academy in previous years, fills the role which was vacated by Michael O'Loughlin, who was recently appointed the Sydney Swans academy coach.

 

Johnson will coach the level two group of the Academy (the players heading into their draft year), while former Brisbane Lion Chris Johnson will remain in charge of the level one squad, comprising players coming out of the under-16 championships.

 

"Being involved in the program over the last couple of years, you get a real passion for trying to help these young men achieve their dream of getting on an AFL list," Johnson said.

 

"And then from there it's about giving them the right stepping stones to reach AFL level. All of the staff and coaches involved are about seeing that occur.

 

"That's the main motivation why we're in this position and why we're working to help them achieve that as much as possible."

 

Both tiers of the Academy trained together at Metricon Stadium on Friday for the first time at their week-long camp at the Gold Coast.

 

"We're combining the groups a lot more so it's that more of a club feel to it, which is good so they can really push each other," Johnson said.

 

The Academy attended Thursday night's draft and will have a program through to next year, when the level two squad heads to Europe in April and the level ones to New Zealand in January.  

 

Glen Jakovich, Matthew Lloyd, Tadhg Kennelly and Brad Ottens are assistant and specialist coaches with the Academy.