The Western Bulldogs have reportedly decided against offering a new contract to 2026 Norm Smith Medal winner Jason Johannisen.
The Dogs’ premiership hero was eligible for free agency this year, but with no rival suitor emerging, was left to wait until after the trade period to know his fate.
The Bulldogs attained Connor Budarick from Gold Coast as their only acquistion, while key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan went the other way in a separate trade deal.
Johannisen played 16 games at AFL level this year, with his campaign delayed due to a hamstring injury. That ailment followed a series of setbacks that kept the defender to just 28 games across the previous three years.
Despite playing in the final nine games of the season, Johannisen’s time with the Dogs has come to an end after 212 career games, with the club deciding to delisting the half-back, per 7 News’ Mitch Cleary.
Johannisen joined the Bulldogs as a rookie selection in 2010 and would make his debut in his second season with the club.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 25: Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs is pictured during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval on March 25, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The South African-born backman was a mainstay by 2015, and would be a key piece in the club’s run to its drought-breaking premiership victory the following year.
Culminating a purple patch of finals form was his Norm Smith Medal-winning performance against Sydney on the biggest of stages, with Johannisen amassing 33 disposals, nine inside 50s and seven rebound 50s in the season decider.
The delisting adds to the exits of Taylor Duryea (retired), Liam Jones (delisted), Anthony Scott (delisted) and the aformentioned Ugle-Hagan (Gold Coast Suns) at the Kennel this off-season.
