Norm Johnstone

Recruited from the seaside town of Chelsea, Norm Johnstone debuted for Fitzroy as a 17-year-old in 1944, quickly establishing himself as a physically imposing figure. In a remarkable display of loyalty to his local roots, he famously made himself unavailable for Fitzroy’s 1944 Grand Final side to ensure he could help his Chelsea teammates win their junior premiership, a decision that cost him a VFL flag. Standing 183cm and weighing over 90kg, Johnstone was undersized for a ruckman by modern standards but made up for it with brute strength and surprising pace. He played a bullocking style of football, often charging in straight lines and using his heavy frame to scatter packs, earning a reputation as one of the toughest competitors of his era.

Johnstone spent his entire career with the Lions, becoming a key pillar of the club through the post-war years. His versatility allowed him to alternate between the ruck and the forward line, a trait best exemplified when he won the club's Best and Fairest in 1947 and later topped the goalkicking list in 1955. A respected leader who served as vice-captain, he retired in 1957 having played 228 games, ranking him fifth on Fitzroy’s all-time list. His legacy at the club was cemented with his selection in Fitzroy's Team of the Century, and the Johnstone name continued in the AFL through his grandson, Travis, who became a star for Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions.