Brian Johnson
North Melbourne
AFL career
44 games6 goals
- Debut
- R2 1953 v COL2 May 1953
- Most recent
- R3 1956 v ESS28 Apr 1956
Stats
Bio
Brian Johnson was a promising full-back whose VFL career was tragically cut short in its prime. Recruited to North Melbourne from Mildura via University Blacks, he quickly established himself as a reliable pillar in the Kangaroos' defence, playing 44 games over four seasons. His time at the top level ended abruptly and devastatingly in 1956 when he suffered a severe eye injury during a match against Essendon, resulting in the permanent loss of sight in one eye. The horrific incident forced his immediate retirement at just 23 years of age, but prompted a massive outpouring of support from the football fraternity, with a public appeal raising significant funds to assist Johnson and his young family as he adjusted to life after the game.
Profile
- Born
- 22 Sept 1932
- Died
- 04 May 2015 (aged 82y 224d)
- Deathplace
- Claremont, WA
- Height
- 188 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionBrian Johnson was a promising full-back whose VFL career was tragically cut short in its prime. Recruited to North Melbourne from Mildura via University Blacks, he quickly established himself as a reliable pillar in the Kangaroos' defence, playing 44 games over four seasons. His time at the top level ended abruptly and devastatingly in 1956 when he suffered a severe eye injury during a match against Essendon, resulting in the permanent loss of sight in one eye. The horrific incident forced his immediate retirement at just 23 years of age, but prompted a massive outpouring of support from the football fraternity, with a public appeal raising significant funds to assist Johnson and his young family as he adjusted to life after the game.