The board will lead the way, he says - and the players will be expected to follow.

The Boomerangs have had Group 19’s most talented first grade squad in the two years they’ve been back in the competition, according to Johnson.

But ill-discipline has prevented that talent being turned into titles. Some players have been reluctant travellers. Others have been unreliable on the field.

“The only thing that’s stopping us from winning an A Grade premiership is ourselves,” he says.

“Too many times last season we played crucial games with 11 players or 12 instead of the full 13.

“We’ve got to have controlled aggression and know when to draw the line.”

Johnson says some of the older players and senior supporters have spoken to him about the need to set higher standards.

He says the club’s culture is not to blame for any disciplinary problems. Rather, he holds individual players responsible for their poor decisions.

However, measures will be put in place next season to improve things, he says.

Everyone will have to accept a code of conduct. The younger players will be given workshops to teach them what is and isn’t acceptable. They will also receive mentoring from their older teammates.

Johnson says the board will also have an important role to play in improving the club.

While the two previous boards have done well to balance the budget in the last two years, more sponsors will need to be found, he says. With that in mind, $11,000 of support has already been locked in for 2012.

Another goal is to more closely integrate the club with the community by holding functions throughout the year.

Johnson says he is passionate about the Boomerangs after growing up around the club. His uncle, Les Roberts, was once the president, while his cousins were ballboys.

“I remember as a kid going to the games and travelling, following the team all over the place,” he says.

People had previously asked him to take on an executive position, but that had only become possible after his recent retirement, he says.