Norm Johnstone
Encyclopedia
Norman "Norm" Johnstone (born 16 January 1927) was a former Australian rules footballer who played his entire 228 game career with the Fitzroy in the (then) VFL
. He was a ruckman
, but was capable of kicking goals when pushed into forward line.
Always a reliable player, he won Fitzroy's best and fairest award in 1947, and was a VFL interstate representative in 1948. He played for most of his career as a ruckman, while his career tally of 195 goals attested to the fact that he was always dangerous when resting in the forward lines. His season's total of 32 goals in 1955 was good enough for him to lead Fitzroy's goal kicking list. Johnstone played in three finals games; in 1947 and 1952.
Johnstone retired at the end of the 1957 season after 14 seasons and 228 games, all with Fitzroy. His 228 games ranks 5th on Fitzroy's all-time playing list.
Johnstone was a supporter of the 1997 merger of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears
and has continued to support the Brisbane Lions since the merger. He is the grandfather of former Brisbane Lions
/Melbourne Demons footballer, Travis Johnstone
.
Playing career:
Player honors:
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. He was a ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
, but was capable of kicking goals when pushed into forward line.
Playing career
Recruited from the Chelsea Seagulls Football Club, Norm Johnstone played his first game for Fitzroy as a 17 year old. Heftily built at 183 cm and 92 kg, he was nevertheless extremely pacy and was not frightened of using his weight. Johnstone was considered by his peers as a very tough footballer, not afraid to use his physical strength when needed.Always a reliable player, he won Fitzroy's best and fairest award in 1947, and was a VFL interstate representative in 1948. He played for most of his career as a ruckman, while his career tally of 195 goals attested to the fact that he was always dangerous when resting in the forward lines. His season's total of 32 goals in 1955 was good enough for him to lead Fitzroy's goal kicking list. Johnstone played in three finals games; in 1947 and 1952.
Johnstone retired at the end of the 1957 season after 14 seasons and 228 games, all with Fitzroy. His 228 games ranks 5th on Fitzroy's all-time playing list.
Johnstone was a supporter of the 1997 merger of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
and has continued to support the Brisbane Lions since the merger. He is the grandfather of former Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
/Melbourne Demons footballer, Travis Johnstone
Travis Johnstone
Travis Johnstone is an Australian rules footballer who has played for the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne in the Australian Football League...
.
Career highlights
- On 3 May 2001, Johnstone was named in Fitzroy's Team of the CenturyTeam of the CenturyTeam of the Century and Team of the Decade are terms used in team sport to name a hypothetical best team over a given time period.For the century team, it can be either 100 years, or for a century...
, as a follower.
- In 2007, the Brisbane Lions recognised Johnstone as one of the ten greatest Lions players from the era 1927 to 1956.
Playing career:
- Fitzroy: 1944 - 57 (Games 228; Goals 185; Brownlow votes 39).
Player honors:
- Brownlow MedalBrownlow MedalThe Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
: Equal 7th in 1949; Equal 8th in 1951; Equal 12th in 1955. - Fitzroy Best and FairestBest and FairestBest and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
: 1947. - Fitzroy leading goalkicker: 1955.
- Victorian representative: (1 game)
See also
- Fitzroy FC honour rollFitzroy FC honour rollThis is a list of coaches and captains of the Fitzroy Football Club, along with best-and-fairest award winners and leading goalkickers, for every year of the club's participation in the Victorian Football Association and the Victorian/Australian Football League....
- Notable Fitzroy playersNotable Fitzroy playersThis is a complete list of players to have represented the Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian/Australian Football League.Players are listed by the date of their VFL/AFL debut with the club...
- Australian rules footballers with 200 games for one clubAustralian rules footballers with 200 games for one clubThis is a list of Australian rules footballers who have played at least 200 games for a single club in the Australian Football League . Footballers who are still playing with the club that they are listed under are in bold. Statistics are correct as of Round 24 of the 2011 season...