Ray Johnston

Recruited to Arden Street as a towering prospect, Ray Johnston stood 193cm—a giant for the era—and became a defensive pillar for North Melbourne during the lean years of the late 1960s. While initially used as a utility who could pinch-hit in the ruck or drift forward, notably booting 11 goals during his breakout 1968 season, he eventually settled as a key defender to combat the league's powerhouse forwards. Johnston established himself as a first-choice player for his final three seasons, shouldering a heavy workload in a struggling Shinboners lineup that often found itself under immense pressure. Despite being a consistent selection in the backline, his career effectively concluded following the club's 1970 wooden spoon campaign, departing the VFL scene at just 25 years of age before North Melbourne began its dramatic transformation in the 1970s.