Why Brad Johnson is loving the early form of exciting second-year Bulldog

BRAD Johnson is loving the progression of Western Bulldogs youngster Joel Freijah so far in his second AFL season.

The 19-year-old played 13 games in his debut season but has clearly taken a big step last off-season, having moved into a more permanent midfield role.

After starting the season with 28 touches and a goal in the Round 1 win over North Melbourne, Freijah backed up that effort with 23 disposals, one goal, four clearances and 12 contested possessions in the Round 2 loss to Collingwood.

While Johnson has always been a fan of his game, he thinks many others joined him after the 191cm midfielder nailed a huge goal late in the fourth quarter against the Magpies to level up the game following a Steele Sidebottom fumble.

“I’m glad you mentioned Freijah because I’ve been watching this young man from day one and he finds plenty of ball,” Johnson told SEN Sportsday.

“He’s still got a lot to learn within the game, I’m glad that (assistant coach) Brendon Lade has now pushed for him to get some more midfield time because he’s a big body, he’s got some genuine pace, and he uses the ball so well by foot.

“Fifteen games in, I’m glad now people are starting to talk about this young man. He hadn’t been mentioned much until this particular week.

“His Round 1 was solid and Round 2 was an improvement again. I think it was the goal that sparked people’s enthusiasm around the way he plays his football because it was so composed and controlled after the fumble.”

While the Dogs are 1–1, Johnson thinks there’s enough to like with the side so far this season for them to improve on that and really compete in 2025 once some cavalry return from injury.

“Look, they still made some basic errors, handball errors in particular and that hurt the Bulldogs at different stages,” Johnson said.

“But Collingwood made their own mistakes along the way; that’s what I think kept the game quite interesting because it did feel like a Collingwood game in the second half.

“They seemed to get more of the footy and controlled it in the front half of the ground, but the Dogs had to defend, and they did well while undermanned.

“That’ll hopefully be rectified with (James) O’Donnell coming back and Liam Jones coming back into the side to assist Rory Lobb as well.

“So, there’s enough to like.”

BY SEN/LACHLAN GELEIT