After spending 12 years playing football in Melbourne, how did it feel on your first day walking into a new club?
I was nervous at first because it was such a big thing for me to come over to a new state and a new football club. I had been at Essendon for 12 years and that is pretty much all I knew, so coming to into a new place with a new way of doing things was exciting, but nerve wracking at the same time. To the club’s credit they have been so welcoming. The boys have been so down to earth and are great, genuine people and I pretty much fitted in straight away.
How did you feel running out for Fremantle for the first time in the NAB Cup?
I will try and play it down but really was, I wouldn’t say nervous, as I was really trying to deaden the nerves, but in doing that it burnt me out a little. Just with it being a late game, it made for a long day and I was just worn out at the end of the day from thinking about it. So, it was great to just get the first game out of the way and be part of a winning side, I really enjoyed it.
Have you noticed any changes in Mark Harvey since his time at Windy Hill?
It’s been amazing. At Essendon, he was always there for you, he always believed in you but now to see his personal skills come across with individuals and as a group, he’s blown me away with how good a coach he has become. He is the type of coach you would run through a brick wall for.
What do you think you bring to the club?
I’m passionate about what do and don’t think there is any time that anyone can doubt that I don’t give it all that I’ve got. I am a very good team man and think that’s a good character trait to have at the club and a big reason why you can go a long way if you have got a lot of people who care and have a passion for it.
You have been noted for your leadership since joining Fremantle, have you always led by example?
I give everything to my team and just love winning, I really do. I pretty much don’t do anything without wanting to be the best at it, wanting to be the quickest, wanting to jump the highest – its just inbuilt in me that I want to be the best I can be and when you are in a team all I want to do is be in a premiership – its not about best and fairest awards or anything like that, its how I can help get this team to a premiership.
Did it annoy you that people thought you and Jason Johnson were brothers?
It was frustrating more than it annoying as I actually do have a brother Jason but it is not the Jason that plays at the Essendon Football Club. However, my other brother is David Johnson who plays at Geelong, but we are no relation to Steve Johnson who also plays at Geelong. Now I am playing with Michael Johnson and the fact that we are both M Johnson can causes a few headaches. Basically, there are just too many Johnson’s!
Do you have a bit of anonymity here or have you been recognised?
It’s probably a bit less because Melbourne is completely footy mad but one of the nicest things over here is that people have just welcomed me in the streets, welcoming me to Perth, welcoming me to Fremantle and asking me if I am loving it over here, and that sort of thing. I haven’t had one bad word said to me since have been here, which has been sensational and just makes it all the better.
What are your interests away from footy?
Just going down to the beach and relaxing with friends, good food and exercise and coming back and working hard at something. Working hard – that’s definitively a love of mine. Whether that be in the building trade or with my café, I know that my secret is, if you work hard, things happen and without that hard work I think it would be a pretty boring life.
Talking about your café, what is your signature dish?
As the owner, I leave things like that to the people who count and our chef Neil is in charge of that side of the business and I think his signature dish is his Thai salmon, it’s just beautiful. However, if was cooking at home to impress i would cook my salmon and capsicum wrap in filo pastry, with some veges and mashed sweet potatoes on the side.
Has your lifestyle changed since moving to Perth?
it has completely changed. i’m forced to work harder on the track and give training everything Ipossibly have, which is pretty much a given for me anyway, but off the training track i’ve got nothing to go into really. think it is a really good thing for me because can concentrate wholly and solely on football, which is how get the best out of myself. i’m absolutely loving living here in Perth.
What is your favourite part about living in Perth?
Definitely the beaches! am lucky enough to live in Cottesloe and just a stones throw away from the beach and to be able to jump in the ocean every night after a hard training session, its just God’s gift.
Can you elaborate on your ‘Mr Sunbury’ nickname?
I knew that was always going to come up! When I was fifteen I did a body building competition and ended up winning it. Unfortunately I was too young and too stupid to realise I might end up playing AFL football and that it would come back to bite me on the bum! But again it was the hard work and desire to win that I have always had, as I wasn’t going to enter into the competition without working hard and winning. Actually, I was probably the same size I am now, at fifteen, so I did it properly and they gave me the ‘Mr Junior Sunbury’ title.
We hear you have an interesting pet?
I’ve got a dog [pause…] and a pet python. But they are back in Melbourne getting looked after. My boxer is caller Kyzer, he is six years old and he is the best dog going around and Kostya, also six years old, is a 2 metre diamond python. I miss them.
Now for a quick snap shot: who is your favourite musician, what’s your favourite television show, and lucky last, what’s your favourite spot in Perth?
My favourite musician at the moment is Xavier Rudd, my TV show would have to be anything with Gordon Ramsay in it and my favourite spot, Cottesloe Beach of course!
