LUKE McPHARLIN AND MICHAEL JOHNSON are football’s nice guys. Well spoken family men who treat all those around them with dignity and respect.
But, once they cross that white line, they’re not all that nice.
They’re the leaders of a Fremantle Dockers defensive unit that laid the foundation for the club’s return to finals action in 2012.
They have differing roles on game day.
McPharlin is charged with containing the very best forwards the AFL has to offer.
Johnson is given more of a leash, often allowed to roam the half-back line as the loose man in defence.
But until 2012, they’ve never had the opportunity to establish a rapport in the same 50m arc.
“I can’t recall a time when we have played together in defence for the whole season,” McPharlin says.
“There have been times when we have, for a short duration, but given the fact that we have both been used as swingmen over the journey, ‘Johnno’ might be playing forward and I will be playing back.
“I’ll get switched forward, he’ll move back.
“So to play with ‘Johnno’ for the entire season and to both play our role together has certainly been a good experience.”
MR FIX-IT
After being Freo’s Mr Fix-it in recent years, Johnson has also enjoyed the stability of his role this season.
“In the past couple of seasons I have been playing a bit of ruck and forward roles,” he says.
“There’s other years when I have played in the backline and pushed forward and tried to kick a couple of goals.
“Coming into this season I wanted to find some form and cement a spot in one position.”
McPharlin, in his 13th season, is in the twilight of his AFL career. Johnson is in his eighth. Both agree that 2012 has been at least equal to the best season in their careers and credit fitness as a major part of that.
“I think I have been able to play as good football as this in the past but I haven’t been able to put it together for the entire season due to injuries that have interrupted the season,” McPharlin says.
SHATTERED
The sight of a shattered McPharlin with head in hands on the interchange bench after suffering a hamstring injury in round 23, a week before the club’s final against Geelong, proves that nothing is fair in football.
That takes nothing away from what has been an All Australian-worthy season from the Freo veteran.
Johnson has had to fight his way back into the side to enjoy what he rates as the best season in his career following a well publicised club-imposed suspension in 2010.
Just recently, a couple of teammates reminded him that the Elimination Final against Geelong was his 56th consecutive game since returning.
“I know after that suspension, it took a lot out of me. Back then, I wanted to put it all behind me and work on getting the trust of the players, the club and the supporters back,” Johnson says.
“I guess I can look back on my career and say that I have played these games all in a row.
“It’s a good achievement for myself, so hopefully I can keep ticking on.”
PASSIONS
The friendship between McPharlin and Johnson has grown through two common passions.
One is their families - McPharlin is a father of two, while Johnson has three children.
The other is football, and each man credits the other for their excellent performances in 2012.
“I really enjoy playing with Michael because he knows the structures inside out, he knows what is required,” McPharlin says.
“We also communicate well with each other. We know how each other operates and how we prepare and, certainly on game day, we work together pretty well.”
“To have Luke back there, he just sets us up really well,” Johnson says.
“He takes the best forward, which allows the other defenders to play on and work off our players and help him out as well.”
CRUCIAL
The man both say has been crucial, not just for their own fine seasons, but also in lifting the entire club, is Ross Lyon.
“He came here with a very strong game plan and a method of how to elicit an elite culture from this playing group and he has really delivered on that,” McPharlin adds.
“The club is still learning what it means to be a truly elite club and work in an elite environment and that’s what Ross continually drives.
“I think over the journey this year, the playing group is certainly getting closer to that goal, and hopefully in the years ahead, that will continue.”
LYNCHPINS
For now, Freo’s backline lynchpins plan on making the most of the opportunity to play together and help the club attain sustained success.
“I think this year in particular has been a really enjoyable year in the sense that the entire team, not just the back six, but the entire team has been defending really well when we haven’t got the ball,” McPharlin says.
“As an entire unit, I think this team has been a very strong one.”
Johnson echoes his teammate’s thoughts.
“The whole team back there, it’s been really close and, hopefully, we can keep doing what we’ve been doing and be known as one of the best defensive groups in the competition.”
