Frank Johnson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Frank Johnson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne
in the VFL
and Port Melbourne
in the VFA.
for his efforts during the 1952 season and twice earned All Australian selection: the first time was in the 1953 Adelaide Carnival
where he was named in what was the inaugural All Australian team, and he was selected as captain in the 1956 Perth Carnival
team. He was the only VFA player to be twice selected, and the only to be selected as captain, in the All Australian team.
In 1960, at the age of 29, Johnson switched leagues to the VFL, playing for South Melbourne. He had immediate success by winning the club's Best and Fairest
, and finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal count the following year.
after previously having been named as captain of the Port Melbourne Team of the Century. He also has a medal named after him, the Victorian Football League
adopting the Frank Johnson Medal as their award for the best player in a State League match.
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
and Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
in the VFA.
Career
A 185cm ruckman, Johnson began his senior career playing with Port Melbourne in the VFA in the 1950s. He won a record five best and fairest awards at Port Melbourne, in an era where the team reached eight consecutive grand finals (winning only once). He won the J. J. Liston TrophyJ. J. Liston Trophy
The J. J. Liston Trophy is awarded to the best and fairest senior player in the Victorian Football League .-History:The VFA awarded the Recorder Cup from 1923 to 1941, and also ran a different award known as the VFA Medal .After a hiatus in 1942 to 1944 due to World War II, a best and fairest award...
for his efforts during the 1952 season and twice earned All Australian selection: the first time was in the 1953 Adelaide Carnival
1953 Adelaide Carnival
The 1953 Adelaide Carnival was the 12th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition...
where he was named in what was the inaugural All Australian team, and he was selected as captain in the 1956 Perth Carnival
1956 Perth Carnival
The 1956 Perth Carnival was the 13th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition. It took place from 11 June to 23 June at Subiaco Oval, Perth....
team. He was the only VFA player to be twice selected, and the only to be selected as captain, in the All Australian team.
In 1960, at the age of 29, Johnson switched leagues to the VFL, playing for South Melbourne. He had immediate success by winning the club's Best and Fairest
Bob Skilton Medal
The Bob Skilton Medal is awarded to the Sydney Swans player adjudged the Best and Fairest over the home and away season. It is named after Bob Skilton, who won the award a record nine times from 1958 to 1968.-List of winners:...
, and finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal count the following year.
Hall of Fame
In 2007 he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of FameAustralian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
after previously having been named as captain of the Port Melbourne Team of the Century. He also has a medal named after him, the Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
adopting the Frank Johnson Medal as their award for the best player in a State League match.