Zak Johnson (Australian footballer)

Last updated
Zak Johnson
Personal information
Full name Zak Johnson
Date of birth (2006-12-24) 24 December 2006 (age 18)
Original team(s) Northern Knights (Talent League)
Draft No. 70, 2024 national draft
Debut Round 12, 2025, Essendon  vs. Brisbane Lions, at The Gabba
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Club information
Current club Essendon
Number 40
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2025– Essendon 1 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 12, 2025.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Zak Johnson (born 24 December 2006) is a professional Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

Junior career

Johnson started his junior football career at the Epping Football Club, before moving to St Mary's, also in the Northern Football Netball League. [1]

Johnson attended high school at Parade College, where he captained the school's football team to the 2024 Herald Sun Shield title, being named best on ground in the Grand Final. [2] Johnson also captained the Northern Knights in the Talent League in his draft year. [3] Johnson also represented Vic Metro at the U18 National Championships in 2023 as a 17-year old bottom age player, [4] before returning to play for them again in his draft year as an 18-year old. [5]

AFL career

After his successful draft year with Vic Metro, the Northern Knights and Parade College, Johnson was drafted to the Essendon Football Club with pick 70 in the 2024 AFL draft. [6] [7]

Having impressed early in his first season while playing for the Bombers' reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), Johnson was named for his senior debut in round 12 of the 2025 AFL season, debuting against the Brisbane Lions at The Gabba. [8] [9]

References

  1. "Johnson's a Bomber". Star Weekly. 24 November 2024.
  2. "Scouting Notes: Parade claims back-to-back senior Shields". Rookie Me Central. 15 August 2024.
  3. "Zak Johnson Draft Profile". Rookie Me Central.
  4. "2023 Vic Metro Under 18 squad announced". Rookie Me Central.
  5. "2024 Vic Metro U18 Boys squad announced". AFL Media.
  6. "Johnson's a Bomber". Star Weekly. 24 November 2024.
  7. "Draft wrap: Bombers secure four more, solidify 2025 hand". Essendon Football Club. 21 November 2024.
  8. "Johnson earns AFL opportunity". Essendon Football Club. 26 May 2025.
  9. "Young Bomber gets chance as Essendon's seventh debutant of the year". AFL Media. 8 May 2025.