Wayne Johnston (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Wayne "The Dominator" Johnston (born 19 December 1957) is a former Australian rules football
er. Johnston played 209 games and kicked 283 goals for the Carlton Football Club
(the Blues), in a career spanning 1979–1990. He was inducted into the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame in 1991.
, and was part of their premiership winning team.
Under VFL zone laws in those days, in 1979 Johnston asked to be cleared to play for the Melbourne Football Club
, but coach Alex Jesaulenko
wanted to see him play before axing him. He debuted in round 3, playing against the Essendon
Bombers. Johnston impressed, and became a vital member of the 1979 premiership side. He could play either across the half-forward line
or in the centre
. He was the recipient of the Carlton Best and Fairest award, the John Nicholls Medal
(at that time called the Robert Reynolds Trophy), first in 1983 and then in 1986, when he tied with Craig Bradley
.
Johnston was made captain of the Blues from 1984–1985, and his presence was critical in high-pressure games and especially finals. He played in the Carlton premiership sides of 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987.
After leaving Carlton, a heartbroken Johnston moved to Brisbane in 1993, where, among other jobs, he worked as a wharfie
. He stayed connected with football, however, and for a time coached the Mt Gravatt Vultures in the AFL Queensland South-East Premier League.
Following the breakup of his marriage, Johnston and family moved back to Melbourne; there he found a new love, actress Kate Kendall
, and they married on 28 November 2004. Johnston returned to the AFL environment and served as a runner for two seasons for the Richmond
Tigers. His sons are also keen footballers. One of his sons, Marc, currently plays for Sandringham
in the VFL
.
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. Johnston played 209 games and kicked 283 goals for the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
(the Blues), in a career spanning 1979–1990. He was inducted into the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame in 1991.
Playing career
After initially failing to gain a berth in the Carlton side, Johnston moved to VFA side Prahran, under coach Mick ErwinMick Erwin
Michael 'Mick' Erwin is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1962 and 1964 for the Collingwood Football Club and from 1965 to 1968 for the Richmond Football Club....
, and was part of their premiership winning team.
Under VFL zone laws in those days, in 1979 Johnston asked to be cleared to play for the Melbourne Football Club
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....
, but coach Alex Jesaulenko
Alex Jesaulenko
Alex 'Jezza' Jesaulenko MBE is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He is regarded as one of the game's greatest-ever players and is an official Legend of the Australian Football Hall of Fame...
wanted to see him play before axing him. He debuted in round 3, playing against the Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
Bombers. Johnston impressed, and became a vital member of the 1979 premiership side. He could play either across the half-forward line
Half-forward line
In the sport of Australian rules football, the half-forward line refers to a position on the field of play.3 players are positioned in the half-forward line, a left and right half-forward flank player, as well as a centre half-forward....
or in the centre
Centre line
The Centre line refers to a set of positions on an Australian rules football field.It consists of 3 players, two on the wings , and one in the centre....
. He was the recipient of the Carlton Best and Fairest award, the John Nicholls Medal
John Nicholls Medal
The John Nicholls Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for the Carlton Football Club for the season....
(at that time called the Robert Reynolds Trophy), first in 1983 and then in 1986, when he tied with Craig Bradley
Craig Bradley
Craig Edwin "Braddles" Bradley is a former South Australian Australian rules footballer and first class cricketer. He is currently a part-time assistant coach at the Carlton Football Club, the club he represented 375 times in the VFL/AFL....
.
Johnston was made captain of the Blues from 1984–1985, and his presence was critical in high-pressure games and especially finals. He played in the Carlton premiership sides of 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1987.
Personal life
With his first wife Debbie Johnston, has four surviving children. A fifth, Matt, died in 1999 from an asthma attack.After leaving Carlton, a heartbroken Johnston moved to Brisbane in 1993, where, among other jobs, he worked as a wharfie
Stevedore
Stevedore, dockworker, docker, dock labourer, wharfie and longshoreman can have various waterfront-related meanings concerning loading and unloading ships, according to place and country....
. He stayed connected with football, however, and for a time coached the Mt Gravatt Vultures in the AFL Queensland South-East Premier League.
Following the breakup of his marriage, Johnston and family moved back to Melbourne; there he found a new love, actress Kate Kendall
Kate Kendall
Kate Kendall is an Australian actress best known for her role in the long-running Nine Network Australian drama Stingers. She works mostly in theatre in Melbourne and Adelaide.-Career:...
, and they married on 28 November 2004. Johnston returned to the AFL environment and served as a runner for two seasons for the Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
Tigers. His sons are also keen footballers. One of his sons, Marc, currently plays for Sandringham
Sandringham Zebras
The Sandringham Football Club, nicknamed The Zebras, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that was formed in 1929 and plays in the Victorian Football League . The Zebras have a 5 year alignment agreement with AFL club St Kilda Football Club of which the first season was 2009...
in the VFL
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...
.