Mark Johnson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mark 'MJ' Johnson is a former professional Australian rules football
er who played for the Essendon Football Club
and Fremantle
in the AFL
.
.
He was drafted to Essendon as a rookie after playing underage with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup competition.
Known for his toughness, Johnson was part of the midfield duo known as the "Johnson Boys" at Essendon, the other member being Jason Johnson
. The two are not related, however Mark does have a brother who plays in the AFL for Geelong
, David Johnson
.
He is a courageous player and sometimes his height and strength are underestimated by opposition players. That said, he played every match in 2006 and was just one of three Essendon players to do so; the others being Brent Stanton
and Scott Lucas
.
On 15 October, Essendon announced that 29 year old Johnson was to be delisted by the club, giving him the option of nominating for the national draft. The decision to delist Johnson was unpopular to many Essendon fans who enjoyed Mark's 'hard at it' attitude to his footy.
In November 2007, Mark was training with rival club, the Kangaroos
. In the 2007 AFL Draft
however, he was drafted to West Australian club, Fremantle
, where he will be reunited with former Essendon team mate Dean Solomon
, who was traded by Essendon in 2006, and Kepler Bradley
, also delisted by the Dons at the end of the 2007 season. The Essendon connection at Fremantle extends to their coach Mark Harvey
, a three time premiership player with Essendon, and former assistant coach under Kevin Sheedy, as well as assistant coach Dean Wallis
and Football Manager Robert Shaw
.
Johnson sustained a career ending shoulder injury and on 20 August, Mark announced he would retire at the end of the 2008 season.
Mark played his last game in the round 22 game against Collingwood, which Fremantle won by 24 points.
He later sought compensation from the Dockers for his injury.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for the Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early life
Johnson is commonly known as "Mr. Sunbury", referring to the body building award he won as a teenager in his home town of Sunbury, VictoriaSunbury, Victoria
Sunbury is a regional city, located north-west of Melbourne's central business district, in the state of Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hume. At the 2006 Census, Sunbury had a population of 31,000...
.
He was drafted to Essendon as a rookie after playing underage with the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup competition.
AFL career
Johnson was elevated from the Essendon rookie list in 1998, playing his first game in 1999. He was part of the 2000 premiership side, and won the W.S. Crichton Medal in 2002.Known for his toughness, Johnson was part of the midfield duo known as the "Johnson Boys" at Essendon, the other member being Jason Johnson
Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League ....
. The two are not related, however Mark does have a brother who plays in the AFL for Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
, David Johnson
David Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
David Johnson is a former Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
.
He is a courageous player and sometimes his height and strength are underestimated by opposition players. That said, he played every match in 2006 and was just one of three Essendon players to do so; the others being Brent Stanton
Brent Stanton
Brent Stanton is an Australian rules footballer, playing for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Early life :...
and Scott Lucas
Scott Lucas (footballer)
Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd...
.
On 15 October, Essendon announced that 29 year old Johnson was to be delisted by the club, giving him the option of nominating for the national draft. The decision to delist Johnson was unpopular to many Essendon fans who enjoyed Mark's 'hard at it' attitude to his footy.
In November 2007, Mark was training with rival club, the Kangaroos
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
. In the 2007 AFL Draft
2007 AFL Draft
The 2007 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2007/08 Australian Football League off-season. These were trade week, the National Draft, the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft.- Trades :...
however, he was drafted to West Australian club, Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
, where he will be reunited with former Essendon team mate Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon
Dean Solomon is retired Australian rules footballer. He played for the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers in his 13 year, 209 games and a premiership career.-Early career:...
, who was traded by Essendon in 2006, and Kepler Bradley
Kepler Bradley
Kepler Bradley is an Australian rules footballer. In November 2007 he was selected by Fremantle in the 2007 AFL Draft. He previously played with Essendon in the Australian Football League. He was delisted by that club at the end of the 2007 season.Bradley was taken high in the 2003 AFL Draft, with...
, also delisted by the Dons at the end of the 2007 season. The Essendon connection at Fremantle extends to their coach Mark Harvey
Mark Harvey
Mark Harvey is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Essendon Football Club. He played 206 games from 1984 to 1997, kicking 190 goals, and was assistant coach at Essendon from 1998 to 2005...
, a three time premiership player with Essendon, and former assistant coach under Kevin Sheedy, as well as assistant coach Dean Wallis
Dean Wallis
Dean Wallis is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club of the AFL.Originally from Nhill, due to his physical style of play Wallis became known as one of the leagues toughest players...
and Football Manager Robert Shaw
Robert Shaw (footballer)
Robert Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club and coach in the VFL/AFL with the Fitzroy and Adelaide Football Clubs...
.
Johnson sustained a career ending shoulder injury and on 20 August, Mark announced he would retire at the end of the 2008 season.
Mark played his last game in the round 22 game against Collingwood, which Fremantle won by 24 points.
He later sought compensation from the Dockers for his injury.