Ben Johnson (Australian footballer)

Last updated

Ben Johnson
Ben johnson afl.jpg
Ben Johnson playing for Collingwood
during the 2006 AFL Season
Personal information
Full name Ben Johnson
Date of birth (1981-04-05) 5 April 1981 (age 42)
Original team(s) Northern Knights (TAC Cup)
Draft#62, 1999 National Draft, Collingwood
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder / Defender
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2000–2013 Collingwood 235 (70)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2013.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Ben Johnson (born 5 April 1981) is a former professional Australian rules football player who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

Football career

Originally from the former St.Mary's, Johnson was snapped up late in the 1999 AFL Draft, no.62 overall. He started his career with a bang, kicking 3 goals on debut for the Magpies, however, he settled as most first-year players and struggled to play-out in consistent fashion, being dropped mid-season. He established himself as a tough running half-back who could play a key tagging role on the last line of defence. He could find the ball and his kicking that looked ordinary, was efficient.

Johnson became a key player during the 2002 and 2003 Grand Final seasons. He finished top 6 in the best and fairest and was recognised as a top senior player wearing Gavin Brown's number 26. He had over 300 disposals in both the seasons, and played all 25 games in 2003 following 23 games in 2002.

In 2004 however, he had his best year. He was a regular best player in the side, and despite the Magpies loss in form, his increased. He once again played all possible games, and he averaged over 17 touches. He finished equal 2nd in the best and fairest behind winner James Clement by 5 votes, and also polled the most Brownlow Medal votes for the club, with 10. In 2005 he had an interrupted season, with injury concerns after a concussion mid-season, and also a rumoured dispute with coach Mick Malthouse. He only played 13 games, and ended a 77 consecutive games streak.

His 2006 season would be one of his best after a poor 2005, playing all 23 games, and providing great run out of the back line. His dash was recognised early during the year, as he would be at the top of the league in metres gained. Johnson would be awarded the ANZAC Day Medal for being best on ground in the match against Essendon, despite being called "Craig Johnson" by the announcer of the medallion. Johnson continued his form consistently through the season, giving him another second place in the Copeland Trophy and averaging more than 23 disposals. He also polled 11 Brownlow Medal votes.

In Round 20, 2007, Johnson received a six match suspension for making forceful front-on contact with Melbourne's Daniel Bell which ended his finals campaign.

His career was on the rocks in 2008 before rebounding to reach some of his best form in the latter stages of 2009 despite suffering a broken leg in the round three loss to Geelong.

Johnson enjoyed a strong 2010 season, culminating in becoming a member of Collingwood's 15th VFL/AFL Premiership. His finals series was particularly memorable, slotting the Magpies' seventh goal on the run, sidestepping Cameron Ling late in the first quarter of the 2010 Preliminary Final victory. He managed to nullify long-standing rival Stephen Milne in both the Grand Final and the Grand Final Replay. Johnson booted Collingwood's second goal of the Replay, and was the only remaining player from Mick Malthouse's first match as coach of Collingwood (round one, 2000, against Hawthorn).

Ben Johnson retired on 15 July 2013. [1]

Following his retirement, at the beginning of 2014 Johnson presented Marley Williams with his number 26 guernsey, reenacting Gavin Brown's presentation of the guernsey to him in 2001. [2]

Personal life

In August 2006 Johnson was involved in a drunken brawl outside a hotel in Port Melbourne with then-teammate Chris Tarrant. Both players were fined $5,000 by Collingwood. Johnson was later charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault and appeared before a Magistrate in 2007 but avoided conviction due to his heavy involvement in community service with the TAC.

Statistics

[3]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals  
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds  
  H  
 Handballs  
  M  
 Marks
SeasonTeamNo.GamesTotalsAverages (per game)
GBKHDMTGBKHDMT
2000 Collingwood 31147101006016045110.50.77.14.311.43.20.8
2001 Collingwood 2616381167018636210.20.57.34.411.62.31.3
2002 Collingwood 26231719711831573420.00.38.65.113.73.21.8
2003 Collingwood 26256423014437491460.20.29.25.815.03.61.8
2004 Collingwood 26224725812137993300.20.311.75.517.24.21.4
2005 Collingwood 2613121656523051230.10.212.75.017.73.91.8
2006 Collingwood 2623109374157531141640.40.416.36.823.16.12.8
2007 Collingwood 26191182579134884390.60.413.54.818.34.42.1
2008 Collingwood 2616741879127883310.40.311.75.717.45.21.9
2009 Collingwood 26145316212528745220.40.211.68.920.53.21.6
2010 Collingwood 26237632016748798510.30.313.97.321.24.32.2
2011 Collingwood 26167622413636057350.40.414.08.522.53.62.2
2012 Collingwood 268111034514827140.10.112.95.618.53.41.8
2013 Collingwood 263002919486120.00.09.76.316.02.04.0
Career23570752722140941319304410.30.311.66.017.64.01.9

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collingwood Football Club</span> Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed the Magpies or colloquially the Pies, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's elite competition. Founded in 1892 in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood, the club played in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) before joining seven other teams in 1896 to form the breakaway Victorian Football League (VFL), known today as the Australian Football League (AFL). Originally based at Victoria Park, Collingwood now plays home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and has its headquarters and training facilities at Olympic Park Oval and the AIA Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Harvey (footballer)</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1971

Robert Jeffrey Harvey is an Australian rules football coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). As a player, he played his entire career with St Kilda in the AFL. Following retirement, Harvey embarked on a career in assistant coaching which has spanned across three decades, highlighted by a nine-game stint as caretaker head coach of the Collingwood Football Club in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Tarrant (footballer)</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1980

Chris Tarrant is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club and the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He announced at the end of the 2010 AFL season that he would return to Melbourne for personal reasons and would not extend his contract with Fremantle for the 2011 season. He returned to the Collingwood Football Club via a trade. He made his name as a key forward, but upon his move to Fremantle in 2007, Tarrant found a new position in the backline. Tarrant was noted for his spectacular high marking, athleticism and pace on a lead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Buckley</span> Australian rules footballer (born 1972)

Nathan Charles Buckley is a former professional Australian rules football coach, player and commentator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Licuria</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1978

Paul Licuria is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans and Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Bradley John Hardie is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Footscray, Brisbane Bears, and Collingwood in the Australian Football League (AFL) as well as South Fremantle in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Stocky built with bright red hair, Hardie was a versatile, attacking footballer who could play either as a forward or a defender; he won the game's highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, playing in the back pocket, but also led the goalkicking at Brisbane and South Fremantle.

Anthony Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer, coach and media personality who played for the Collingwood Football Club.

Gavin Brown is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Collingwood in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the 1980s and 1990s. Since retiring as a player he has been an assistant coach with Collingwood, Carlton and joined North Melbourne at the end of the 2013 season. He is currently serving as a development coach at North Melbourne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath Shaw</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1985

Heath Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club and the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL). Heath grew up in Diamond Creek and played junior sport for Diamond Creek Football Club and Diamond Creek Cricket Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Swan</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1984

Dane Swan is a former elite professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Swan was drafted with pick 58 in the 2001 AFL draft, and made his debut in Round 13, 2003 against the Western Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Thomas (footballer)</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1987

Dale Robert Jordan “Daisy” Thomas is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club and Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Thomas was a priority pick in 2005 where he then played with the Collingwood Football Club from 2006 to 2013 before transferring to the Blues in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kade Simpson</span> Australian rules footballer, born 1984

Kade Simpson is a former Australian rules footballer who played his entire career with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played 342 games across 18 seasons from 2003 to 2020. He holds the VFL/AFL record for playing in the most losses of any player, with 215.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heath Scotland</span> Australian rules footballer

Heath Scotland is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He played for Collingwood and Carlton, appearing in two AFL Grand Finals during his time with Collingwood. He was awarded the Best and Fairest for the Carlton Football Club in 2012. His professional career ended in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Pendlebury</span> Australian rules footballer

Scott Pendlebury is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He served as Collingwood captain from 2014 to 2022. Pendlebury is a dual premiership player, also winning the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground in the 2010 grand final replay, and was the AFLCA champion player of the year in 2013. He is a six-time All-Australian and five-time Copeland Trophy winner, and is the Collingwood games record holder with 383 games. Pendlebury is also the league record holder for disposals, handballs and tackles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Reid</span> Former Australian rules footballer

Ben Reid is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the Australian Football League (AFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Boak</span> Australian rules footballer

Travis Alexander Boak is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Boak captained the club from 2013 to 2018, and is the club's AFL games record holder with 348 games. He is also a three-time All-Australian, dual John Cahill Medallist and three-time Showdown Medallist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steele Sidebottom</span> Australian rules footballer

Steele Sidebottom is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayne Beams</span> Australian rules footballer

Dayne Beams is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He also previously played for, and captained, the Brisbane Lions during the 2017 season, however he stepped down as captain during the 2018 season due to personal issues. He retired in October 2020 due to personal issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ollie Wines</span> Australian rules footballer

Oliver Wines is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Wines received a nomination for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award in Round 1 of the 2013 season, his debut match. He served as Port Adelaide co-captain in the 2019 season. Wines' standout 2021 season earned him a Brownlow Medal with a record-tying 36 votes.

The 2015 Carlton Football Club season was the Carlton Football Club's 152nd season of competition, and 119th as a member of the Australian Football League.

References

  1. ↑ Rielly, Stephen (15 July 2013). "Ben Johnson retires". Collingwood Football Club. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Mason, Luke (8 November 2013). "The tradition continues". Collingwood Football Club. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Ben Johnson's player profile at AFL Tables Retrieved 26 August 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.