Peter Johnston (footballer, born 1957)
Encyclopedia
Peter Andrew Johnston is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Melbourne
and Geelong
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
, his 31 goals for the year was just two short of winning the club's leading goal-kicker award.
and performed credibly, although he became known for his inaccuracy in front of goal. Johnston had the misfortune of playing in successive preliminary final losses in 1980 and 1981.
, due to the circumstances surrounding his late inclusion. As a result of a communication breakdown, former St Kilda player Garry Sidebottom
was not informed of his recall into the preliminary final team and stayed at his home in Lara
thus not getting on the team bus as it passed through. Johnston had initially been named as a emergency and traveled to VFL Park
by car with two other players. On the way he smoked "half a pack of Winnie Blues" and ate "half a chicken, large chips and a thick shake". When he arrived at the ground he was informed by the team manager that Sidebottom had missed the bus and he was to take his spot in the team. Johnston would only make a brief appearance and failed to have a possession.
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 who played with Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
and Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
Melbourne
A Tasmanian, Johnston played for St Virgil's College and North Hobart before arriving at Melbourne. A forward, he spent three seasons at Melbourne and although he did not kick a goal in his last five games of the 1978 VFL season1978 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1978.-Grand final:Hawthorn defeated North Melbourne 18.13 to 15.13 , in front of a crowd of 101704 people...
, his 31 goals for the year was just two short of winning the club's leading goal-kicker award.
Geelong
He switched allegiances to Geelong for the 1979 season1979 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1979.-Grand final:Carlton defeated Collingwood 11.16 to 11.11 , in front of a crowd of 112845 people...
and performed credibly, although he became known for his inaccuracy in front of goal. Johnston had the misfortune of playing in successive preliminary final losses in 1980 and 1981.
Preliminary Final
Johnston is perhaps best remembered for his role in the 1981 Preliminary Final, against CollingwoodCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, due to the circumstances surrounding his late inclusion. As a result of a communication breakdown, former St Kilda player Garry Sidebottom
Garry Sidebottom
Garry Sidebottom is a former Australian rules football player who played for the St Kilda, Geelong and Fitzroy Football Clubs in the Victorian Football League and Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s.Sidebottom was a powerful and fearless player ideal...
was not informed of his recall into the preliminary final team and stayed at his home in Lara
Lara, Victoria
Lara is a residential rural suburb, 15 km north-east of Geelong, inland from the Princes Freeway to Melbourne.- History :The explorers Hume and Hovell arrived at Lara on December 16, 1824, believing that they had reached Westernport Bay...
thus not getting on the team bus as it passed through. Johnston had initially been named as a emergency and traveled to VFL Park
Waverley Park
Waverley Park was an Australian rules football stadium in Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of...
by car with two other players. On the way he smoked "half a pack of Winnie Blues" and ate "half a chicken, large chips and a thick shake". When he arrived at the ground he was informed by the team manager that Sidebottom had missed the bus and he was to take his spot in the team. Johnston would only make a brief appearance and failed to have a possession.