Michael Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Michael Johnson is an Australian rules football
er for the Fremantle Dockers
. Recruited from Perth Football Club
in the WAFL
with selection 8 in the 2004 Preseason Draft
, he is a graduate of the Clontarf Football Academy
. He made his debut against Richmond in Round 4 of 2005 when Matthew Carr
was a late withdrawal from the team due to illness.
Due to promising performances at both WAFL
and AFL
levels and his versatility, he announced a three-year extension to his contract in 2006 and then a two-year contract extensions to remain at Fremantle until the end of the 2011 season.
In 1995, as a 10-year old, Johnson played Auskick
for Fremantle during the half-time break of the first ever Western Derby
.
On 7 October 2006, Michael finished equal runner-up (with Peter Bell
) in Fremantle's Doig Medal
Best & Fairest count, further underlining his credentials as a prospect for the future.
His 2007 season started badly when he was suspended for four matches after colliding with Lachlan Hansen
in a NAB Cup match and being one of the first players to be charged under the AFL's crackdown on front-on contact to the head.
In 2009 he was appointed captain of the club for a pre-season derby
and despite missing the second half of the 2009 season due to an ankle injury, he was officially included in the leadership group for the 2010 season. He also won the club's best clubman award for 2009.
In May 2010 Johnson was investigated by the police in relation to a drug-related matter. He was charged on summons with possessing cocaine
, suspended for five matches and fined $5,000 for bringing the AFL into disrepute. He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 in court.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er for the Fremantle Dockers
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
. Recruited from Perth Football Club
Perth Football Club
The Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club plays its matches at Lathlain Park.-History:...
in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
with selection 8 in the 2004 Preseason Draft
2003 AFL Draft
The 2003 AFL Draft was the 2003 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
, he is a graduate of the Clontarf Football Academy
Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to improve the education, discipline, self esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society...
. He made his debut against Richmond in Round 4 of 2005 when Matthew Carr
Matthew Carr
Matthew Carr is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fremantle and St Kilda in the Australian Football League . He played as a half-back flanker and began his football career at East Fremantle...
was a late withdrawal from the team due to illness.
Due to promising performances at both WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
and AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
levels and his versatility, he announced a three-year extension to his contract in 2006 and then a two-year contract extensions to remain at Fremantle until the end of the 2011 season.
In 1995, as a 10-year old, Johnson played Auskick
Auskick
Auskick is a national program in Australia to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football by children. It has proven to be popular with both boys and girls....
for Fremantle during the half-time break of the first ever Western Derby
Western Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
.
On 7 October 2006, Michael finished equal runner-up (with Peter Bell
Peter F. Bell
Peter Francis Bell is a former Australian rules footballer for the Fremantle Football Club and the North Melbourne Football Club. He played as a rover . A former captain of the Fremantle Football Club, Bell was twice named as a member of the All-Australian Team...
) in Fremantle's Doig Medal
Doig Medal
The Doig Medal is the best and fairest award given out to the player considered best and fairest during a season for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL....
Best & Fairest count, further underlining his credentials as a prospect for the future.
His 2007 season started badly when he was suspended for four matches after colliding with Lachlan Hansen
Lachlan Hansen
Lachlan Hansen is an Australian rules footballer for the North Melbourne Football Club of the Australian Football League.He was picked up at Draft Pick Number 3 in the 2006 AFL Draft...
in a NAB Cup match and being one of the first players to be charged under the AFL's crackdown on front-on contact to the head.
In 2009 he was appointed captain of the club for a pre-season derby
Western Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
and despite missing the second half of the 2009 season due to an ankle injury, he was officially included in the leadership group for the 2010 season. He also won the club's best clubman award for 2009.
In May 2010 Johnson was investigated by the police in relation to a drug-related matter. He was charged on summons with possessing cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, suspended for five matches and fined $5,000 for bringing the AFL into disrepute. He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 in court.