[SPORT] ALEX JOHNSON Joins WESTERN BULLDOGS Coaching Panel

The Western Bulldogs are pleased to confirm AFL Premiership player Alex Johnson has joined the Club’s coaching panel for 2024.

Johnson, who played 47 games for the Sydney Swans, including a flag in 2012, joins the Bulldogs as a Development Coach.

The appointment comes after the recent departure of Stef Martin, who was a Development Coach at the Club in 2023.

Johnson retired in 2018 after eight years in the system due to challenges with injury, winning the Sydney Swans’ Best Clubman award and earning life membership during his time with the red and white.

Since finishing his football journey, Johnson has had various coaching roles at Xavier College and at the Northern Blues in the VFL.

Johnson was thrilled to return to the AFL system in a coaching capacity.

“I’m really excited and grateful to be joining the Bulldogs’ coaching staff,” Johnson said.

“Having spent some time out of the AFL system, I’m pumped to be jumping back in and looking forward to meeting all the coaches and players at the Club in the coming weeks.

“Hopefully I can bring some experiences from my time at the Swans and outside of football to help the growth and development of the Bulldogs players.”

Bulldogs’ Executive Director of Football, Chris Grant, couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Johnson to VU Whitten Oval.

“Bringing in a quality person like Alex into our program will only further benefit our players and their development,” Grant said.

“Alex faced a lot of adversity during his playing days through injury and will be able to bring his learnings from those experiences into our program.

Johnson joins new coaching recruits Matt Egan (coaching and performance coach), Jarryn Geary (development and player leadership coach) and Daniel Pratt (backline & defensive system coach) as additions to the AFL coaching panel.