The countdown to season 2002 is on in earnest and in our continuing Engine Room series we look at the senior listed players and pin-point their roles in the upcoming season. Today we take a look at JASON JOHNSON. The 2002 Crichton Medallist was a brilliant performer for the Bombers in 2001 - standing tall while his other mid-field partners fell by the wayside through injury. Johnson shouldered a heavy workload during the season, rarely spending any time out of the mid-field. He had every right to be a spent force by the time the finals came around but he kept pushing himself and he was one of Essendon's best players on Grand Final day.

Johnson will undoubtedly be one of the keys to the Bombers chances in season 2002. He is one of the tough nuts in the middle - fierce in his attack on the football or the man with it. He is basically bomb-proof - the work asked of him last season could easily have fatigued and led to injury.

Given an even run with injuries in 2002, Johnson will have far more experience by his side in the middle. This should keep him fresh and at his explosive best in the big games. Fully fit Joe Misiti, Chris Heffernan, Mark Mercuri and Justin Blumfield will make life easier for him as will the addition of Damien Peverill to the senior list.

Johnson works very hard on his football and his goal-kicking is one area where he has made significant improvement. In 2000 he kikced 14.20 - a return that he wasn't pleased with. In 2001 he managed 20.19 - it equates to a 10% improvement. Coaces often talk about getting one or two percent improvement in certain areas and that puts Johnson's return into persepctive. He will want to improve on it even further in 2002.

Johnson finished 2001 with 364 kicks and 162 handballs meaning he averaged 22 possessions per game. He led the Bombers in general kicks, long kicks, handball receives, tackles, clearances, Inside 50s, hard ball gets and loose ball gets. It was a remarkable performance in such a strong side and Essendon fans can only hope he can repeat the dose.

How will he be used on match day?

Johnson will undoubtedly start in the middle where his ability to win the hard ball will be critical to the Bombers. He may be given the ocassional spell on the bench during the season - particularly late in games that are well in Essendon's keeping. The Bombers will want him fresh for the big games.

What will the coaches expect on match day?

It is probably as much a case of what Johnson expects on match day. He sets very high standards for himself and he won't want to slip back from the standard he has now set for himself. The three key statistics for him are hard ball gets, tackles and clearances - they will be used as the measuring stick.