The defender was named in the back pocket of the 2013 All Australian team on Monday night.
“It’s a big honour to be recognised as an elite player in the AFL and to be named in the final 22,” Johnson said.
“I’d like to give a special thanks to the Fremantle Football Club and the coaches and the players I play with week in, week out.
“I’m guessing it will sink in a few years after I retire. It’s good recognition and it’s good for my family, who are proud of the achievement.”
Johnson described being All Australian as a small individual award in a team sport.
“You go out there with 21 brothers and you’re there to have team success,” he said.
“This is a small reward for myself, but any of those boys who play week in, week out for the Fremantle Football Club could have easily picked up this award.”
Johnson was full of praise for the impact senior coach Ross Lyon has had on his career.
A swingman before Lyon arrived, Johnson, along with 2012 All Australian Luke McPharlin, now leads the league’s best defence.
“Ross has played me in the position where he knows that I’m playing the best footy, and I agreed with it as well when he first came over,” Johnson said.
“We’ve formed a really strong unit down in defence, led by Luke McPharlin.
“We know that we can match it up against any opposition forwards in the competition.
“This coming week, we’ll be going out there to show that we have improved a lot throughout the year and we can match it against the best teams.”
The 28-year-old, who missed Freo’s qualifying final win in Geelong with a calf injury, was on the training track this morning for a light session.
He said he got through the session all clear and was on track to train fully on Thursday.
“I was doing a bit of straight line running, the physios and sports and conditioning staff wanted to see how I went with a lot of sprint work,” he said.
“I just wanted to test it out today before I do almost a full session on Thursday.
“It’s looking good so far and it’s all about getting the injury right and the recovery.”
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