Baldivis has sprung a shock signing on the Peel Football and Netball League with the recruitment of WAFL star Blaine Johnson.
The gun South Fremantle forward/midfielder will be donning a Brumbies jersey for the remainder of the 2018 season, adding plenty of firepower to a team already sitting pretty a game-and-a-half clear atop the ladder.
Johnson had been an instrumental part of South Fremantle’s makeup since returning from his two-year stint with Carlton in the AFL, booting 105 goals from 53 league appearances across the last two-and-a-half seasons.
Last year saw the Kwinana junior place second in the WAFL’s leading goal kicker award – the Bernie Naylor medal – with 53 majors, finishing only behind current West Coast Eagle Liam Ryan.
He booted a further six goals in South Fremantle’s 2017 finals campaign to finish with 59 on the year.
Overall, the 22-year-old averaged 13.3 disposals, three tackles and two goals a game in his career at the WAFL league level.
The now former Bulldogs gun also spent two seasons on Carlton’s list at the top level after making his way to the club via the 2014 rookie draft, where he played seven games before returning to the WAFL in 2016.
His addition to the 9-1 Brumbies follows Pinjarra’s signing of former Essendon and Peel Thunder forward Leroy Jetta just weeks before, further separating the league’s top two sides from the rat race.
Baldivis coach Craig Hamersley said Johnson’s recruitment would help the club find “three or four extra shots on goal”, which he believes will be vital down the stretch.
“We envision Blaine helping us execute better up front, while putting some tackling pressure on opposing mids,” he said.
“Our forward half is probably where we struggle a bit, so having Blaine come in will really take the pressure off guys like Brieghton (Shea), Ben (Higgs) and Eddy (Dann), and should give them some more freedom.
“We’re rapt to have him at our club – it’s a really exciting time for us.”
Johnson’s first game in the PFNL will be somewhat of a baptism by fire, with a top-three clash against Rockingham looming this Saturday.
Arguably the biggest game of the round, the Brumbies will be keen to retain their six point advantage over Pinjarra on the ladder.
The bounce is scheduled for Saturday at Anniversary Park, 3.30pm.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
