Injured speedster Jason Johannisen looks set to make his long awaited return to football following the bye on July 2.
Having not played since injuring his hamstring during the round four clash with Hawthorn, coach Luke Beveridge said that a VFL return is the most likely return road for the speedy half back.
"JJ will be probably playing that round, but I wouldn't imagine he'll be playing at AFL level. He's been out too long, Beveridge said.
"We'll wait and see, there's a bit of water to go under the selection bridge."
Johnnisen will be one of a host of Bulldogs expected to return to competitive football after the bye, with captain Easton Wood, Koby Stevens and Roarke Smith to be available for selection, as well as Clay Smith who’s now played two games in the for Footscray after returning from injury.
Sitting down with 1990 Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore in the upcoming episode of Guardians of the Guernsey, a video series exclusive to BulldogsTV, Johannisen said it can be difficult having a long term injury but with the support of his teammates he has been in a positive frame of mind throughout the process.
“It has been pretty hard watching the boys knowing that I should be out there helping them get a win [but] I understand it, it’s reality, it happens in football all of the time, he said.
“I just want to do all the work I can to make sure that when I do get out there I’ll be 100% and I won’t let the team down.”
“We’ve [had] a few blokes in there so I’m not as isolated as you usually [can be] in rehab, so I’ve had a little tight group there to train with and help get back as soon as we can.”
Johannisen started the season in blistering form, averaging 24.5 disposals per game at an impressive 85.7% clip, up from 19.9 at 75.6% the year before.
The 23-year-old opened the season with back-to-back best on ground performances before the injury, but there’s something bigger driving his return to the field.
“[The jumper] means everything because as a kid you want to play AFL footy and it’s your dream.
“And for the Bulldogs to give me the opportunity when no other club would, I’ve got to do everything I can to repay them and play some good footy for the Club.”
