Former AFL player Chris Johnson couldn’t have lived with himself if his junior football club had gone by the wayside without him doing anything to prevent it.
Having coached Avondale Heights in the Essendon District Football League premier division, Johnson last season made the decision to return to division 2 side Jacana.
“My brother and dad were down at the club last year,” the Brisbane triple-premiership player said last week.
“Drastic measures were in place at the club. I decided I would walk away from premier division and come back to Jacana and help out in any way I could. Living around the corner from my junior club and watching it struggle, it didn’t sit well with me.”
He played four games last season due to work commitments but has played eight games this season so far.
“I’ve been able to commit to the club more this year.
“There is a good vibe around the place after it has had a fair whack in recent years. We are starting to get good results.”
Johnson has seen some big improvements at the club since returning.
“The consistency level on the field has increased, as has the willingness of the players wanting to improve.
“There’s been a huge jump in attitudes.
“We’ve recruited four to five new players as well as getting other players back to the club who played their junior footy at the club.
“That’s one of the biggest things. People want to play here.”
As well as playing eight games this year, Johnson has provided leadership and support to first-year coach Aaron Collins.
“A team is only as good as the resources that it has at its fingertips,” Johnson said.
“I’ve coached for a number of years and I’m happy to help Aaron.
“If I can help him on game day … then I will to take some of the slack off him and help build on players’ leadership skills.”
Johnson’s involvement in the EDFL doesn’t end with Jacana, he has taken up a position as one of the league’s regional development managers.
“I was made redundant from the diversity unit with the AFL. I wanted to stay in football and applied for this job and was lucky to get the role.
“The region I cover includes Moonee Valley, Brimbank and Melton. It doesn’t include Jacana.
“I’m working with Auskick co-ordinators and district managers trying to get more kids involved in football.
“It has been quite rewarding. I’m very passionate about young kids and communities and getting them involved in sport.”
Back on the field, the AFL back pocket player is reacquainting himself with a role he knew well at Jacana.
“I’ve played forward last four weeks, a little bit closer to goal. It’s been a change in role as Aaron keeps mixing things up.
“I played forward as a junior at Jacana so it is familiar to me. I’ve kicked some goals, but missed my fair share which is the backman in me.”
