We can see the light
Michael Horan | May 30, 2008
THE taste of success is sweet for Richmond captain Kane Johnson.
The 30-year-old midfielder and member of Adelaide's 1997-98 premiership teams - still the only player on the Tiger list to have won a flag - is leading by example.
Nicknamed "Sugar" during his debut season with the Crows in 1996, Johnson this season has been a major force for his young side, averaging 26 disposals a game.
In the wake of a self-imposed one-match ban after he was caught urinating on the St Kilda Rd police complex while celebrating his birthday one game into the new season, the Tigers skipper found redemption in on-field brilliance.
Since Round 3 he has amassed 168 disposals - third in the league in that time behind Geelong's Joel Corey (172) and Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes (169) - to be at the forefront of a core of experienced players who are at last steering the Tigers in the right direction after a wooden spoon last year and a finals drought spanning eight seasons.
"It's exciting. It's also a bit of a relief as well because the last few years have been tough on the club and for everyone involved," Johnson said.
"Everyone is starting to feel we are are going somewhere now. It's really starting to build. There is still a long way to go, but I think there is something happening now.
"It's been a positive year, I think we're tracking along the right way. We've been stiff a couple of times not to get over the line, but we've still got a lot of chances for the rest of the year and hopefully we can make up for it."
The Tigers still sit 11th with three wins and a draw. But an after-the-siren goal by Bulldog Will Minson to force a draw and a last-minute miss from 30m by Kelvin Moore to blow a chance to beat St Kilda are all that prevented Richmond sitting in fifth spot.
"Yeah, I know. That's how tight the competition is," said Johnson when reminded of the two near-misses.
"You only have to look at the weekend how disappointed (Bulldog) Brad Johnson was to miss that kick (after the siren against North Melbourne).
"They were unbeaten, but he was very disappointed because he knows how tight the competition is.
"But it shows we're only a smidgen off the the top four or five sides at the moment. We're very competitive - it's only going to take a a couple of tweaks to make sure we're up there in that top four or five."
Johnson puts his own sparkling form down to fitness.
"My body feels really good. It's good if you can train each week, do every session," he said.
"It gives you momentum and allows you to hold your form.
"I'm in fair shape, as all our older players are. Nathan Brown is starting to find form and Richo's obviously been in career-best form and big Simmo (Troy Simmonds) has been in good touch as well.
"It makes a big difference when your senior players are up and going."
After a dismal showing against Collingwood in Round 3, the Tigers have been competitive every week.
While September action is the obvious goal, the focus is on tackling Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.
"I'm sure every player at this club is thinking about playing finals, but you never dwell on it," Johnson said.
"You worry about each week, and if you can get the results along the way, then hopefully you can get there in the end."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23781055-19742,00.html
