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 MARK JOHNSON. After a spectacular 2000 season in which some felt he was unlucky to miss All Australian selection, Mark Johnson was again a solid performer for the Bombers' last season. Week in, week out he was given the job of shutting down the oppostion's most dangerous small forward. He generally did that job very well.

Johnson is very much a key in the back half for Essendon where his pace and ferocious attack on the football and the man sets a fine example for those around him. Some suggest that Johnson didn't create the rebound last season that he did in the club's Premiership and statistics would seem to support this - 61 times he delivered the ball outside 50m in 2000 compared with 40 in 2000. But against this was the fact that Johnson laid 48 tackles in 2001 compared with 39 in 2000 - tackles which often jarred the ball loose and created opportunities for the his fellow defenders to clear the ball.

Essendon will be very keen to see Johnson play at his absolute best in 2002. With Damien Hardwick no longer at the club, he takes on the added responsibility of being the club's senior small defender. It will be a responsibility that might just spark Johnson and see him take his football to another level. He thrives on being challenged and this season will provide him with one of his sternest tests.

Johnson takes great pride in his football and the fact that one of his quieter games for the season came in the Grand Final will have gnawed away at him during the off-season. He sets high standards for himself and he will be raring to get back into the action this season and put that game behind him. His pre-season has been excellent and Essendon supporters will see a very fired up Johnson when the real stuff gets underway.

How will he be used on match day?

Johnson will be given the job on the most dangerous small forward in the opposition line-up. He will obviously be asked to play a defensive role but also to back himself when the opportunity presents itself and create some rebound and run through the middle. He may also spend some time in the mid-field. He has done that job well in short bursts in the past and will do that again in 2002.

What will the coaches expect of him?

The coaching staff will expect Johnson to take on the role as the club's best small defender and make it his own. They will want to be able to put him on an opposition forward and know the job will be done.