A 2-0 start to season 2024 comes with a titanic underscore — namely, big man Daniel Johnston, who scooped the most ranking points of anyone in round two in the Cats’ annihilation of Benalla, per GVL Data.
The key forward and ruck pinch-hitter put on a ballistic display at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, establishing dominance inside forward 50 and taking it to the house no fewer than nine times.
Daniel’s day out v Benalla
Marks: 12 (all 12 inside 50, seven contested)
Score involvements: 20
Disposals: 20
Contested possessions: 12
Ranking points: 170
You read those numbers right: every single one of Johnston’s 20 disposals correlated to a whopping tally of score involvements.
How much better can a key forward do their job than that?
Clunking every aerial ball that came his way certainly doesn’t hurt his credentials.
Minor spells in the ruck yielded two clearances to go with his work forward of the ball, notching three pressure acts and two spoils to complement his capabilities around the ground further.
In the absences of Jackson Trengove and Chris Nield, who formed a one-two punch as potent tall targets for the Mooroopna midfield last year, why not target Johnston frequently?
His haul of 12 marks inside 50 was 10 clear of anyone else on the ground, while the huge 20 score involvements led all comers by more than 50 per cent — more than doubling Benalla’s best along the way.
This hardly seems like an isolated occurrence, either.
Factoring in the Cats’ tough round one triumph over Kyabram, Johnston has amassed 15 goals, 17 marks inside 50 alone and 27 score involvements, all of which are either first or second in the competition.
Echuca’s Angus Byrne has enjoyed a similarly stellar start at the forefront of a free-scoring Murray Bombers outfit.
Still, Johnston’s numbers are not to be ignored as a potential goal-scoring frontrunner for a Cats outfit that appeared likely to struggle for scoreboard pressure in pre-season.
If a goal-for-goal shootout eventuates between the two forces when Echuca and Mooroopna meet at Victoria Park this weekend, onlookers should be in for a tantalising showcase.
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