PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Matthew Johnson of Western Australia is tackled by Adam DAloia of South Australia during the 2021 U19 Championship match between Western Australia and South Australia at Optus Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A posied and professional onballer that is a large contested influence in midfield, Johnson firms as a first-round selection and viable option for any side looking to add depth to their engine room.

An accurate mover of the ball and a threat in the air given his height, Johnson claimed the best afield honours for the Black Swans in Western Australia's win over South Australia in the 2021 AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser.

That showing - which included 21 touches, five clearances and seven tackles - added to a strong second-half of his 2021 campaign to further rise into early draft contention.

Johnson is seen as a similar archetype to Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury given his ability to calmly move that ball in traffic.

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Playing all three levels with Subiaco in the Colts, Reserves and Seniors, Johnson was able to get a taste of competing at a high level during his 2021 campaign.

Team: Subiaco
Position: Midfielder
Height: 191cm
Weight: 82kg

Strengths

Disposal
Footy IQ
Poise
Vision
Agility

Weaknesses

Immediate impact
Strength

Draft range

10-16

Potential landing spots

West Coast (Pick 10), Port Adelaide (Pick 12), Brisbane (Pick 14), Richmond (Pick 15)

AFL Comparisons 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies runs with the ball during the round 12 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Scott Pendlebury
Sam Menegola
Ryan Burton

Expert Comments

"A teenager with a highly professional attitude, Johnson had set himself the goal of being a top-10 draft pick this year as a way of pushing himself, but a quad injury had set him back." - Nathan SchmookÂ