Johnny Gregory

Johnny Gregory was a foundational pillar for North Melbourne during the club's punishing introduction to the VFL. A local product recruited from the North Melbourne juniors, he developed into a polished half-back flanker who provided rare stability in a defence that was frequently under siege. Gregory's class was evident even as his side struggled; he was capable of repelling opposition attacks with composure and launching rebounds with precision. His individual quality was formally recognised when he was selected to represent Victoria in 1932, a prestigious honour that validated his standing as one of the competition's premier defenders despite his team's lowly ladder position.

His career is defined by an unwavering loyalty and resilience during a bleak era for the Shinboners. Gregory holds the distinction of being the first North Melbourne player to reach the 150-game milestone, a record that stood as a testament to his durability. The scale of his commitment is best illustrated by the fact that he enjoyed just 24 wins across his 156 matches, yet he continued to perform at a high level, including a standout 1931 season where he polled 10 Brownlow votes. In a period where on-field success was scarce, Gregory remained a competitive beast and a key figure in establishing the club's fighting spirit in the big league.