Johnson returns to coach at the Kennel

[bornadog]

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The Western Bulldogs today announced that Bulldogs great, Brad Johnson, has joined the Club as a specialist coach.

This part-time mentor and skills role will see the six time All-Australian, former Bulldogs Captain and three-time best and fairest, work with the Clubs development group which is made up of the team’s emerging first to third year players.

“When presented with the opportunity to bring Brad on board – we wholeheartedly grabbed it,” Bulldogs, Manager of Football, James Fantasia said today.

“There is no question that Johnno will bring an incredible amount of experience, skills and knowledge to our younger players – who are just thrilled to have him on board.”

Johnson, the Bulldogs games record-holder, joins Geelong premiership duo Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney who are also working one day a week with Brendan McCartney at the Club.

“Along with our current coaching staff, we are fortunate that people of this ilk want to come and help our Club get better,” Senior Coach Brendan McCartney said today.

[bornadog]

Great News, a welcome addition to the Kennel.

[angelopetraglia]

Super, super news.

How many coaches do we have down their now in some capacity? Surely a lot more than ever before.

[OLD SCRAGGer]

Welcome HOME Brad GREAT NEWS

[lemmon]

Can only be a good thing. Its nice to see that little group of Johnson, West, Bubba Smith, Grant and Darcy all still involved in the game in some capacity.

[The Underdog]

Yay, Jonno is like Grant in that I'd hate to see him involved at any club other than us.

[immortalmike]

Hang on when did Brad Johnson play for Geelong..?

[Eastdog]

Hang on when did Brad Johnson play for Geelong..?

I don't think he ever did. He was originally from Hoppers Crossing. It is great to have him back at the club to help with our development. He is another true Bulldog icon.

[Go_Dogs]

Great news, stoked to see him back in the fold.

[Greystache]

I'm surprised there's not more complaints from people about the abundance of Bulldogs people being brought into the club- Smith, Montgomery, now Johnson, and Chris Grant as director. There was great concern from some we were too Geelong centric and not drawing enough knowledge from the broader competition, yet we have added 2 more coaches who were former players with us.

[AndrewP6]

I'm surprised there's not more complaints from people about the abundance of Bulldogs people being brought into the club- Smith, Montgomery, now Johnson, and Chris Grant as director. There was great concern from some we were too Geelong centric and not drawing enough knowledge from the broader competition, yet we have added 2 more coaches who were former players with us.

I'm much happier having a club great back in the colours, than trying to clone another club.

[Greystache]

I'm much happier having a club great back in the colours, than trying to clone another club.

Why?

You're happy to have greats from our club but not greats from another club? That being despite the other club having enjoyed far greater success.

[AndrewP6]

Why?

You're happy to have greats from our club but not greats from another club? That being despite the other club having enjoyed far greater success.

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

[Eastdog]

As long as we being quality and experience into the club it shouldn't matter whether they were former Doggy players or from another club.

[Greystache]

Just seems to me that we're trying to create another whole identity, which I don't think is a good thing. Trying to make us "Geelong Mark II" won't work, IMO. It's like at work (school) - we try programs/ideas from other places, and it invariably doesn't work. I know teaching isn't footy, but it's that whole idea of trying to recreate a club.

My take is we're trying to bring people in who've come from a culture of success and who have set the bench mark in recent history. I don't think it's about trying to become Geelong Mk II but trying to be the club that others aspire to be, if some of the best people happen to come from that club then that's probably no surprise.

I don't agree that trying to create an new identity is the wrong thing, we've been Bulldog centric for far too long, celebrating individual champions above all else, and welcoming them back into official roles over people from outside that may well have more to offer. This desperately needs to change, and I'm excited that we're finally starting to see it happen.

I wouldn't poo poo a club champion continuing to play a role within the club, but personally I would've been more excited if it was announced we had appointed another resource from outside the club, even if that were another Geelong person.