Chris Johnson

[Lady Lawrence]

Over to you - lion_gooner

[lion_gooner]

http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile&personid=13114

Chris Johnson



CAREER GAMES/GOALS
Guernsey Number: 2


Height 180cm


Weight: 89kg


Recruited From: Jacana/Northern U18/Fitzroy


Debut: 1994


Date of Birth: 30 May 1976




Player Statistics - Chris Johnson
Season
AFL 2006 Premiership Season

Round Date vs. K H P M HO T FF FA G B
Round 1 01/04/2006 Geelong 11 4 15 2 0 1 2 3 0 0
Round 2 08/04/2006 Essendon 11 13 24 4 0 3 3 1 0 0
Round 3 13/04/2006 St Kilda 9 6 15 6 0 4 0 2 0 0
Round 4 22/04/2006 Richmond 12 3 15 6 0 3 1 1 0 0
Round 5 29/04/2006 West Coast Eagles 12 4 16 7 0 0 0 1 1 1
Round 6 07/05/2006 Sydney Swans 12 3 15 3 0 5 2 1 0 0
Round 21 26/08/2006 Sydney Swans 4 3 7 3 0 3 1 0 1 0
Round 22 02/09/2006 St Kilda 6 2 8 3 0 0 0 0 1 0



CAREER BRIEF
Previous Clubs: Fitzroy/Northern Knights U18s
Draft Details: Selection No.7 – 1993 National Draft
AFL: Debut: Fitzroy v Essendon (Optus Oval), Rd 2, 1994
AFL Finals: 19

CAREER HISTORY
It seems extraordinary to think that 2005 was the first season in which dashing defender extraordinaire Chris Johnson has finished in the top-three in the Brisbane Lions' fairest-and-best count.

In fact, it would probably be said that Johnson's runner-up finish to Jason Akermanis in the prestigious Merrett-Murray Medal was only a matter of time. After all, Johnson had been named an All-Australian in both 2002 and 2004 and averaged the best part of 15-possesions-per-game since 2001 - playing mainly in a back pocket.

Johnson finally received Club Champion recognition for a 2005 in which he was perhaps the Lions' most consistent contributor. And his joy at being rated so highly amongst his peers was there for all to see with an emotional acceptance speech at the Merrett-Murray function.

On seven occasions in his 22 games in 2005, Johnson's performances were rated as very good or better by the Lions match committee. And never was he more on-song than in Round 15's 78-point annihilation of Collingwood.

Playing his usual free-wheeling game in defence, Johnson had 22 possessions and 15 marks before being rested for most of the last quarter. He seemed to bob up here, there and everywhere to break up Magpie attacking moves and he also managed to kick one of the goals of the season, brilliantly sidestepping a pair of Collingwood defenders before slotting home with the outside of his right boot.

Johnson has been transformed from a mercurial forward into the best small defender in the business under coach Leigh Matthews.

So good, in fact, that Johnson earned All-Australian honours twice in a back pocket – in 2002 and 2004 – and was desperately unlucky to miss out in 2001 and 2003.

Matthews decided to use the exciting Aboriginal player, a renowned goalsneak, in the back-pocket in 2000 and he has enjoyed his best five seasons in the AFL since then.

Johnson was named in the All-Australian team in 2002 after being overlooked in 2001 when he averaged almost 18 possessions per game while minding some of the most dangerous small forwards in the business.

When Johnson fired in 2002 and 2003, invariably so did the Lions. Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse dragged him right back to the goalline in the 2002 and 2003 grand finals to try and limit his damage. It did to a degree, but the Magpies were unable to get any drive from the players Johnson was minding.

Some observers believe Johnson to be one of the real keys to the side’s success.
His evasive skills, superb foot skills and the rebound that he provides the side are all an important part of the Lions defence, and the side missed his great ability from kick-outs when he missed several weeks during the middle of 2003 through a hamstring injury.

In 2004, he fulfilled a long held personal goal to play in every game (25) for the year. He added consistency to his dynamic game and was rewarded with eighth place in the club champion vote.

He had nine, 18-possession-plus games, including a season high 27 in a brilliant display against St Kilda in Round 21.

Johnson is a quietly determined character and he has to work particularly hard every summer to keep the kilos from his naturally heavy frame.

He trained particularly hard over the 2002 summer to prove the selectors wrong in overlooking him for the All-Australian jumper in 2001, but an ankle injury sustained in a pre-season leg tangle cost him a spot in Round 1, although it was all good after that.

Johnson really came to notice with an explosive second half of the year in 2001 after injury restricted him to a slow start. Married in the 2000-01 off-season to long-time girlfriend Vanessa, he returned from his honeymoon still carrying the effects of osteitis pubis.

He worked doubly hard after Christmas and during the season, doing extra sessions with the Lions fitness and conditioning staff. The rewards came quickly, with 11 Brownlow Medal votes, a top 10 club champion finish, and a premiership medallion.

Johnson’s 2001 Grand Final mirrored his season – a little slow to get warmed up, but once he did, look out! He was brilliant through the second half revival and almost kicked one of the great Grand Finals in history during the second quarter when he received the ball in the centre circle and streaked downfield, bouncing the ball three times. He had Dean Rioli right on his hammer, but dropped him off with a super swerve. To the dismay of the crowd, he hit the inside of the goalpost from 35m. Johnson finished among the best players on the ground.

He averaged a midfieder-like 17.7 possessions and took five marks per game through 2001, and notched his 150th AFL game against Geelong in Round 20 at Kardinia Park. In fact Johnson is a young “veteran”, not turning 27 until the middle of 2003.

He is the sole remaining Fitzroy “survivor” of the historic Fitzroy – Brisbane Bears merger on 4th July 1996 which saw the Brisbane Lions join the AFL in 1997, following the departure of Jarrod Molloy.

Initially a reluctant recruit, Johnson is now entrenched at the Gabba. He was moved to a back pocket following the injury to Mick Martin midway through 2000 and has not looked back. After a mixed start, he found his niche in the back pocket and was one of the reasons why the Lions’ defensive record improved markedly as the 2000 season wore on. His effort in gaining a top-10 club champion finish was even more meritorious considering he suffered osteitis-pubis during the season, as well as after it.

A product of Jacana in suburban Melbourne, Johnson was a stand-out junior and among many highlights of his under-age career he was a Victorian Teal Cup (U17) representative at 16 in 1992. He by-passed the corresponding carnival for personal reasons in 1993, when he was a key member of the Northern Knights VSFL U18s premiership side. He kicked seven goals in the second half of the grand final - a stunning effort which earned him selection at No 6 in the National Draft.

He slotted immediately into the Fitzroy side in 1994, starting in the back pocket and adapting quickly to AFL football. He won a nomination for the prestigious $10,000 Norwich Rising Star Award, won by Brisbane's Chris Scott, and finished 9th in the Fitzroy B&F award in a superb introduction to AFL football.

In 1995, playing mainly out of a forward pocket, he topped the Fitzroy goalkicking list, and in 1996, splitting his time between attack and defence, he was 5th in the Fitzroy B&F award.

He suffered a disrupted 1996-97 off-season due to a groin injury, leaving himself a little underdone, but still played 19 of a possible 23 games in ’97, missing three via a much-publicised suspension after he pleaded guilty to pushing a field umpire. He did make a long-awaited finals debut against St Kilda in September 1997.

Johnson initially sought a transfer to a Melbourne-based club over the 1997-98 summer for personal reasons, but eventually stayed in Brisbane with a new-found resolve to make the most of his situation. He will admit to being an inconsistent performer in 1998, when he was dropped from the top side in Rounds 10 and 17-18-19, but showed patches of his unquestioned talent and finished No 2 on the Lions goalkicking list behind Justin Leppitsch, kicking 20 goals in 14 appearances.

Johnson then spent four weeks out of the top side early in the ’99 season but, showing improved maturity, he worked hard on his deficiencies and returned a more complete player to post his 100th AFL game and his 100th AFL goal.

He used his excellent overhead skill to become a useful extra marking target in the forward line, and was equally comfortable when swung into defence. He still kicked 25 goals in 20 games in ’99, an equal career best in a season, despite a lot of time in defence and on the bench.

Then came the turnaround when Matthews ignited his defensive spark in defence the following season.

Johnson and Vanessa have two sons, Lachlan and Vanessa, and when not doting on hi family Johnson enjoys a hit of golf with close mate Martin Pike and Daniel Bradshaw.


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Victorian Teal Cup (U17) 1992, Member Northern Knights' VSFL U18 Premiership Side 1993, 9th Fitzroy B&F 1994, 5th 1996, Equal 10th Lions B&F 2000-01, 2nd Lions B&F 2005, Norwich Rising Star Nomination 1994, Fitzroy Leading Goal Kicker 1995, Lions No.2 Goal-Kicker 1998, Member Lions First Finals Side 1997, Member Lions’ Ansett Cup Grand Final Side 2001, Premiership player 2001-2002-2003, All-Australian 2002, International Rules rep 2002, 2003 (vice-captain), 2005.

[lion_gooner]

http://www.elitesports.com.au/new/athlete_profiles/127.html

[lion_gooner]

http://www.finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=337

[lion_gooner]

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-brisbane-lions--chris-johnson

[lion_gooner]

http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=313347

Johnson to lead All-Stars
4:52:25 PM Thu 1 February, 2007
lions.com.au
Vodafone Brisbane Lions veteran Chris Johnson will again lead the Indigenous All-Stars in their match against Essendon at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Friday 9 February 2007.

Johnson is the Lions' only representative in the match and will share captaining duties with Adelaide's Andrew McLeod. The pair also co-captained Australia in the 2005 International Rules Series.

The All-Stars squad is made up from the 12 per cent (approximately) of AFL players that are Indigenous.

The annual All-Stars match will be broadcast by ABC television and the National Indigenous Radio Network (NIRS) for the first time.

The ABC will broadcast the game through the Northern Territory on its main channel from 11:30pm local time and also provide a live national broadcast on ABC2, its free to air digital channel from 7:00pm local time. In addition, ABC radio will provide a full call of the last quarter of the match once the cricket one-day international broadcast has concluded.

“The All-Stars game is a celebration of the marvellous talent that Indigenous footballers have brought to the AFL and we are delighted that ABC television and the NIRS will take this match, particularly to so many people across northern Australia in remote communities,” AFL Chief Broadcasting and Commercial Officer Gillon McLachlan said.

[Warwick]

Maybe write a little about the articles you are quoting - i.e. a title and a comment or something like that so we know in what reference the article has been selected.

[Quigley]

Chris has been a champion rebounding small defender throughout the rise of the Lions. With Lepper he gave the Lions great attacking flair coming out of the backline. He would have gotten my votes for club champion in 2005. Had a great year when everyone was going down around him and really gave his all.

I thought he seemed a little disallusioned in 2006 and had a pretty poor year by his standards. It looked like he was getting frustrated with the young guys not feeding him the ball when he was in position, missing targets and leaving him out of position. His head went down and he wasn't the same player. Was injured toward the end of the season and when he came back he was not fully fit and had lost several yards of pace and was forced to play in the forward line. If he gets his pace back he should play down back again this year given the experience we have lost down there but if he is still slowed he could be joining Brown and Bradshaw up forward. In the forward line he leads and defends well and throws his weight around to advantage.

[BigCat2]

I thought he seemed a little disallusioned in 2006 and had a pretty poor year by his standards. It looked like he was getting frustrated with the young guys not feeding him the ball when he was in position, missing targets and leaving him out of position. His head went down and he wasn't the same player. Was injured toward the end of the season and when he came back he was not fully fit and had lost several yards of pace and was forced to play in the forward line. If he gets his pace back he should play down back again this year given the experience we have lost down there but if he is still slowed he could be joining Brown and Bradshaw up forward. In the forward line he leads and defends well and throws his weight around to advantage.

Quigs, you'll be pleased to know that Leigh has set Johnno the task of being the organiser of our defence in 2007. That not only means Leigh thinks CJ is now fully fit to play in the back half, but also he's been given responsibility to guide the younger guys. Let's hope he'll be able to give experience and wisdom to the young ones who did not get enough time to play with Leppa.

[Quigley]

Great news on the fitness front BC for Johnson. We need some experience down the back half.

[danielcanberra]

gooner, do you mind editing your posts with the links to the articles, by citing the entire article (cut and paste), as the links often don't work after 3 or 6 months.

Also, the Lions website is being relaunched so we won't know if they will retain an archive of past news items.

[lion_gooner]

yeah ok daniel

[Lady Lawrence]

thanks for that gooner, sometimes the links stop working so if you can put the link and the copy the text from the story and surround it with the qoute unquote [ ] bits it will help with retaining this as an archibe of stories on years to come.

[lion_gooner]

ok will do L/L

[lion_gooner]

chris johnson played a great game last night i thought nad kicked a few important goals i was there last night cheering him on even though i was right near the geelong cheersquad after all he is my fav player :D

[danielcanberra]

Congratulations on being appointed captain.

[scott522]

Congratulations on being appointed captain.

And so say all of us !

[lion_gooner]

yes congrats to the great man :D our one and only fitzroy player :D

[Kochie 16]

Congradulation Chris on the birth of your daughter. All the best.

Link:
http://www.lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=40555

[Grimreepah]

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5904/johnsonoi5.jpg

Johnson was named in the AFL team of the week (forward pocket).
The triple premiership defender was instrumental up forward in his side's win over Carlton, booting three goals and claiming five assists. He was crucial in the final term with nine touches.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8946/johnsonau1.jpg http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5950/johnsonqw0.jpg

[lion_gooner]

whoops:o forgot all about this :thumbsd:

unfortunetly the great man himself is inkured at the moment :thumbsd: :( hopefully he will be back soon

and his birthday is the day fater mine :D lol

[Dr Pea P.I]

Does anybody know how his little footsy is doing?

[lion_gooner]

happy birthday for yesterday chris :D

HOPEFULLY he will be back this week :D

[TheBrownDog]

happy birthday for yesterday chris :D

HOPEFULLY he will be back this week :D

He definitely will.

[Kochie 16]

He definitely will.
And he's injured again!:mad:

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22058077-5003410,00.html)

Delayed return for Johnson


Article from: http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_thecouriermail.gif (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/?from=ni_story)

Marco Monteverde
July 12, 2007 12:00am

FEET problems continue to plague Lions co-captain Chris Johnson, with the defender's sideline stint set to extend at least until round 17 on July 28.
Johnson, who has not played since his side's draw with Richmond on June 2, had hoped to return from an injury to his right foot in Brisbane's Gabba battle against Melbourne on Saturday night.
But in his desperation to reach full fitness, the three-time premiership winner pushed himself too hard in training and injured his other foot.
"It was the last drill of the last effort," a frustrated Johnson said yesterday.
"I went a bit too hard a bit too quickly and did the left one.
"I'll probably start running on Friday, run again on Sunday and a bit more on Monday, and then train with the group on Wednesday night.
"It's probably another week away before I'm on the track."
Johnson said maintenance, rather than surgery, was his preferred option and he had an outside chance of being fit for Brisbane's clash against Carlton at the Gabba on Sunday week.
But the following weekend's MCG tussle against the Magpies is a more realistic option for the 31-year-old veteran, desperate to finish his injury-affected season on a positive note.
"I'll have to go back to the drawing board, get fit and do the right things," he said.
"It is very frustrating sitting and watching the guys because I certainly know I can get out there and play.
"It's just a matter of getting these feet right. It's no muscle problem with a hamstring, legs or anything like that . . . it's just a bit of a sore foot."
Having to watch the Lions' upset 27-point win over the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Saturday night was particularly tough for Johnson, who missed the chance to wear the colours of his former club Fitzroy in the heritage round clash.
"It was great to see them win but it was pretty hard to see the jumper out there and not be playing," said the two-time All Australian, who is the last ex-Fitzroy player on the club's list after the 1996 merger.
Johnson backed the Lions to maintain their winning form, provided his teammates could repeat the intensity they showed against the Eagles.
Johnson was restricted to handball drills at training yesterday. Joining him were fellow co-captain Simon Black, who rested his weary body after his magnificent weekend performance, and injury-plagued ruckman Beau McDonald.
Rugged defender Chris Scott, who has not played an AFL match since 2005, also trained and is two to three weeks away from returning – via the Suncoast Lions – from ongoing hip problems.

[TheBrownDog]

God I hope he can be back in time to wear the Fitzroy jumper against Hawthorn.

[BigCat2]

God I hope he can be back in time to wear the Fitzroy jumper against Hawthorn.

Johnson 'may return in Fitzroy colours'


A FOOT injury is no longer a problem for Fitzroy's last man standing Chris Johnson, setting the stage for an emotional AFL return.
Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews has left the door open for co-captain Johnson to make his comeback in Fitzroy colours in the Lions' AFL clash against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Lions will don the Fitzroy guernsey to honour a Lions player reunion held the same night in Melbourne.
The last time the Lions wore the Fitzroy jumper they stormed to a shock victory over defending champions West Coast at Subiaco in round 14, sparking their current five-game winning run that has resurrected their top eight chances.
But the guernsey will take on much more significance for Johnson if the triple premiership player is given the green light to finally return following a two-month battle with plantar fasciitis.
Former two-time All Australian Johnson, 31, is the only remaining player on any AFL club list to have played for Fitzroy, which merged with Brisbane in 1996.
If selected, he will again wear the Fitzroy guernsey that he proudly donned from 1994-1996.
The stage is set for an emotional night for Johnson after Matthews talked up the veteran's chances as he looked for a replacement for Ash McGrath (fractured wrist).
After undergoing surgery, McGrath is expected to be out for four to five weeks - the rest of the season if the Lions don't make the finals.
"He (Johnson) played very well on the weekend (in the reserves). He's missed a lot of footy and a lot of running which wasn't going to help him," Matthews said.
"(But) Chris has played a couple of good games."
Johnson's last senior game was Brisbane's draw with Richmond on June 2.
He returned from injury on July 29 for reserves outfit the Suncoast Lions.
Matthews has been forced to change his winning team after McGrath went down in the third quarter of the Lions' 37-point win over the Kangaroos at Brisbane last Saturday night.
Johnson is in the mix, along with a player who at one stage even Matthews believed he would not see on the field again - Chris Scott.
The two-time premiership player has not played in almost two seasons following hip surgery but has battled back through the Lions reserves alongside Johnson.
"Chris Scott has played three (reserves) games and played quite well on the weekend I thought, Scott Harding has been playing that role (of McGrath and will also be considered)," Matthews said.
In other injury news, Matthews confirmed Troy Selwood would play against Hawthorn despite suffering a shoulder injury in the second quarter against the Kangaroos.
And defender Josh Drummond is also to be considered after missing a week with a knee complaint.
Not that the Lions' defence needs any further bolstering after conceding just 18 goals in the last three games.
Matthews said he was excited as the Lions entered the regular season's home stretch - but not by the prospect of playing finals.
"The only time it matters where you are is after round 22. It determines what happens next," he said.
"But the fact that we've been playing some good footy over the last month is exciting and encouraging."

http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=48686

[Grimreepah]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1121/johnsonwa9.jpg

If Drummond doesn't pull up we might see him in defence.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22206633-5003410,00.html)

Chris Johnson deserves recall

Article from: http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_thecouriermail.gif (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/?from=ni_story)
Marco Monteverde
August 08, 2007 12:00am

SENTIMENT aside, Chris Johnson is deserving of a senior recall when the in-form Brisbane Lions continue their push for a top-eight berth in Saturday's MCG battle against Hawthorn.
Lions star Luke Power, who along with Johnson is one of the club's five co-captains, last night said his 31-year-old teammate "brings a lot to the table" in terms of experience and versatility.
With Brisbane to wear Fitzroy's red and blue colours as part of the Lions player reunion celebrations, Johnson is desperate to play.
The triple-premiership winning utility is the AFL's only remaining player to have represented Fitzroy, which merged with the Bears at the end of the 1996 season to form the Brisbane Lions.
Johnson has been plagued by foot injuries this season, with his most recent senior game, Brisbane's draw against Richmond on June 2.
In a positive sign, he was one of the Suncoast Lions' best in the AFLQ competition last weekend.
"No doubt being the player he is, Chris will definitely be in (coach) Leigh Matthews's thoughts," Power said.
"The good thing about Chris is you could play him anywhere.
"He's one of our great players. He'd be a pretty handy inclusion to the side."
The obvious opening for Johnson is the position of forward Ashley McGrath, who yesterday had surgery on the left arm he broke in the Lions' 37-point weekend win over the Kangaroos.
Other contenders include veteran Chris Scott and young gun Scott Harding.
"There are some good players who are waiting for their chances," Power said.
But Power admitted it would be a great story if Johnson got the selection nod.
"He'd definitely want to get back because it is a pretty special weekend for the club and he's as big a part of it as anyone because he's played for the Brisbane Lions and the Fitzroy Lions," Power said.
Johnson was gutted to be sidelined the last time Brisbane wore Fitzroy's colours, with the July 7 occasion made grander by the Lions' 27-point upset win over West Coast in Perth.
"It was great to see them win but it was pretty hard to see the jumper out there and not be playing," the two-time All Australian said.
The eighth-placed Lions can take another small step towards a finals berth with a sixth victory in a row on Saturday.
"We know that if we can put the processes that we've been working on over the past few weeks into place we can win," gun midfielder Power said.
"To reach the finals, we know we've got to win at least three of our last four matches."


http://i14.tinypic.com/61yulx3.jpg
SENTIMENTAL bloke . . . co-captain Chris Johnson would dearly love to wear the old red and blue colours of Fitzroy when the Lions play Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=48819)

Johnson sensing something at the Lions

6:20 PM Wed 8 August, 2007
By Wayne Heming

VETERAN Brisbane Lions utility Chris Johnson can smell something special is about to unfold and he desperately wants to be part of it.
It's why the 31-year-old triple premiership winner, who has seen less than 12 minutes of action since the middle of May, is desperate to get back for Saturday's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
"The way the guys have gone about their business at training and on game day, if we can hold things together, I think we can (do something special)," said Johnson.
"The ultimate goal is to win our last four games.
"But if we can get over the line this week and win next week it would be great for the game and our fans and gives us a chance."
An injury to teammate Ash McGrath could work in Johnson's favour after he turned in a best on ground effort for the Sunshine Coast Eagles in the AFLQ competition at the weekend.
Being a member of the three-peat Lions, Johnson can sense the club is building to something very special after winning its past five games to suddenly get a sniff of finals football after their season looked forlorn mid-year when bookmakers had them 500-1 for the flag.
In recent weeks the team has cast aside highly fancied top eight sides West Coast, Collingwood and the Kangaroos, with each side unable to overcome the defensive ferocity with which Brisbane has attacked their opposition.
The fact that Brisbane will also wear Fitzroy's red and blue colours as part of Lions reunion celebrations is also driving Johnson - the last surviving Fitzroy player since the Melbourne club merged with the Brisbane Bears to form the Lions in 1996.
He missed the chance to pull on his old Fitzroy colours in Perth when the Lions pulled off one of the club's biggest upsets against the Eagles and he wants to make sure it doesn't happen this weekend.
"Hopefully I can wear it again on Saturday but we'll have to wait and see," he said.
"But the boys are going really well and the way they have been going about their business the last few weeks has been great to watch from the stands and you really want to be a part of it.
"The pressure they're applying to the opposition has been great and hopefully if I get the opportunity on Saturday I can do the same thing."
Johnson said the improved tackling out of the forward line and the way players were using the ball had turned things around, along with the revival of Rhan Hooper as a future star.
Johnson was critical of Hooper for not being committed early in the season but said the electrifying 19-year-old from Ipswich had redeemed himself in recent weeks.
"You see he is getting his match fitness back and that's a big positive for him.
"It's great for our side, he keeps running guys down from behind, it sort of gets people spooked.
"Just ask him about it, he'll tell you...he's loving it."



http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/8497/johnsonaq6.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=50223)

Chris Johnson calls it quits

4:51 PM Fri 31 August, 2007
Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

BRISBANE Lions co-captain Chris Johnson has announced his retirement from AFL football after the 2007 season.
Johnson told his Lions team mates of his decision to hang up his boots before training on Friday afternoon.
The 31-year-old, who is the last active AFL footballer to have played for Fitzroy, will line up for his 264th and possibly his last senior match of a decorated 14-year career.
He bows out with a list of accolades that includes three premiership medals in 2001, 2002 and 2003, dual All-Australian selection, International Rules representation and the club captaincy.
Johnson was initially drafted to Fitzroy in 1993 where he made a name for himself as a dangerous small forward.
He led the club’s goal-kicking in 1995 and finished fifth in Fitzroy’s best and fairest award in 1996.
Johnson was then drafted as one of the eight Fitzroy players chosen to be part of the inaugural Brisbane Lions team following the merger in 1996.
He transformed himself from a mercurial forward into a classy small defender in the late 1990s, earning All-Australian honours in a back pocket in 2002 and 2004.
In 2005, Johnson was named in the back pocket of the Indigenous Team of the Century and went on to captain the Indigenous All-Stars at the end of 2005 and 2006.
He also was co-captain of Australia in the 2005 International Rules Series against Ireland.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8075/johnsonok5.jpg

Link (http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/afl-news-display/lions-lose-last-link-34735)

Lions lose last link
31/08/2007 5:08:46 PM

Brisbane Lions champion Chris Johnson, the club's last remaining link with Fitzroy, announced on Friday he will retire from AFL football at the end of the 2007 season.

The 31-year-old co-captain looks set to play his last game at the Gabba on Sunday, with a loss to the top-of-the-table Cats ending the side's slim chances of playing finals.

The tough forward-cum-defender has played 263 games over 14 seasons including three premierships, and was selected in the back pocket for the All-Australian side in 2002 and 2004.

Johnson came to the Lions as part of the Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy Lions merger in 1996 and quickly became a vital cog in the Lions' star-studded backline.

The tenacious back pocket was integral to the club's dominance in the early part of this decade, an era which yielded three premierships on the trot from 2001 to 2003.

In 2005 Johnson was named in the Team of the Century and captained the Indigenous All-Stars in 2005 and 2006.

He also co-captained Australia during the 2005 International Rules Series against Ireland but was suspended for five matches after a head-high hit on an Irish player and subsequent melee in the second Test at Telstra Dome.

The incident threatened to derail the series.

Fellow triple premiership player Chris Scott will join Johnson in retirement next year with the pair set to play their final game on Saturday night in front what is bound to be a parochial home crowd.

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2748/johnsongt9.jpg

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22341509-5003410,00.html)

Veteran Johnson calls it quits

Article from: The Courier-Mail
Andrew Hamilton
September 01, 2007 12:00am

IN the end, personal pride in his strict standards and a sense of achievement convinced Chris Johnson it was time to walk away.

After a career that yielded triple premiership success and All-Australian and International Rules selection, Johnson will play his 264th and last game as a Lion, against Geelong, at the Gabba tonight.

An era will end with him. Johnson was the last remaining Fitzroy Lion playing senior football and to lead the side out as a captain of the club is a fitting end to one of the great Lion careers.

"It is fantastic, I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish," he said.

"To be a captain of a club was just fantastic, I consider it a highlight in my career and something I hold dearly.

"It (co-captains) was frowned upon but we worked together and got the best out of our group and to be alongside Simon Black, Jonathan Brown, Nigel Lappin and Luke Power, all champions of this competition, meant so much to me."

The club couldn't promise Johnson he would be offered a contract next year and in the end he felt he couldn't put his family through another summer of uncertainty.

"There was no guarantees, I didn't want to put my family through it. We went through it last year and our heads were in limbo," he said. "I knew it was coming, either this year or next, and I had a good talk with Leigh (Matthews) about it.

"I set a certain standard throughout my career. I just don't think in reality I could maintain it, I can't move as good as I used to be able to, run as quickly and my vertical leap isn't the same.

"A bit of wear and tear catches up with you and then you're going into games instead of being confident you could perform, you're hoping.

"Knowing that, I just couldn't deny a young player a spot."

As news broke of his retirement, the prevailing theme was Johnson had at least another year in him. But instead of being bitter his career was over, he just wanted to make sure no one missed out on a thank you.

He wanted to thank the Lions for giving him the chance and the Gabba faithful for embracing him as one of their own. He mentioned his junior coaches in Victoria without whose help he insists "he would never have made it", and mostly his family.

Johnson held himself together when he broke the news to his teammates before training last night but facing his sons, Lachlan, Preston and Aiden was "the toughest thing" he's done. Johnson and wife Vanessa also have a daughter, Charlee, born earlier this year, and the 31-year-old says he can now dedicate more time to his family.

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Family first: Chris Johnson yesterday with Aiden, 2, Preston, 3, Lachlan, 6, and Charlee, five months.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22347520-5003410,00.html)

TWO of the Lions' most loyal servants have bid an emotional farewell to the biggest Gabba crowd of the season.
Sadly for retiring premiership stars Chris Johnson and Chris Scott it was a disappointing swansong as minor premier Geelong warmed up for next weekend's finals with a 42-point win.
Brisbane staged a special party for Johnson and Scott, who between them amassed 479 senior games and five premierships.
Although the Lions were already out of the finals race, the top deck of the Gabba was close to full for the first time this season, with 34,107 people attending to either pay tribute to the pair of warriors or salute the slick Cats.

[Grimreepah]

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[notting18]

http://i6.tinypic.com/6fidnjk.jpg
Family first: Chris Johnson yesterday with Aiden, 2, Preston, 3, Lachlan, 6, and Charlee, five months.

11 years until we have one L Johnson coming as a F/S?;)

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/johnson-hearttoheart-with-leigh-ended-my-career/2007/09/02/1188671781731.html)

Johnson: Heart-to-heart with Leigh ended my career
September 2, 2007 - 3:33PM

An honesty session with coach Leigh Matthews prompted Brisbane Lions triple premiership player Chris Johnson to draw the curtain on his glittering AFL career and usher in the end of an era.
Johnson, 31, was toying with going around one more year for the revitalised Lions - but a heart-to-heart with the master mentor quickly put an end to that.
Barely 24 hours after receiving a frank assessment of his 2008 prospects, a choked up Johnson surprised teammates last Friday afternoon when he delivered the news - the round 22 clash against Geelong would be his last.
While Geelong crashed the party by sealing a 42-point win last night, it did not make it any less emotional when dual All Australian Johnson was chaired off with fellow retiree Chris Scott in front of a 34,107-strong Gabba faithful - the Lions' biggest crowd this season.
And it didn't lessen the impact either - Johnson, Fitzroy's last remaining player in the AFL, had hung up his boots.
Fitzroy merged with Brisbane in 1996 - and the fiercely loyal Johnson said he could not, and simply wound not, play for any other team after receiving the sobering news from Matthews.
"I made the final decision about midday on Friday, probably 24 hours after Leigh and I had a discussion," Johnson, a veteran of 264 games in 14 years.
"There wasn't a real opportunity for me next year. I didn't want to play for another club. I couldn't bare to put another jumper on.
"Only going for yearly contracts it was going to come sooner or later and it has come sooner.
"There was no guarantee (of playing 2008) and I just didn't want to put my family or myself through that again, going away not knowing what the future holds - there's no point."
Johnson may be the last of the Roy Boys but he believed their spirit would live on at the Lions - especially if this year's use of the Fitzroy guernsey as an away jumper continued.
"It's an era gone. There's no Fitzroy players going around, but there is still a lot of history in this club that is Fitzroy's," he said.
"And it's a great initiative to wear that (Fitzroy) jumper.
"You can get emotional (about retiring as the last Fitzroy player). There were a few lumpy throats and a couple of tears when I summoned the boys together (last Friday).
"But I am happy. It's time for me to celebrate my career."
Johnson believed he had left the Lions in good hands despite Brisbane narrowly failing to make the finals for the first time in three seasons.
"I leave behind a team that is improving each week, they are not far off it. If they get a good pre-season under their belts they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with next year in the finals campaign," he said.


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[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=50353)

Johnson’s timing is perfect – as always

9:54 PM Sun 2 September, 2007
By Simon White

IN FOOTBALL, timing is everything. Which is why Brisbane Lions co-captain Chris Johnson is happy that he chose to make Saturday night’s Gabba clash with Geelong his last AFL game.
Johnson was saddened to end his glittering 264-game career but heartened to go out on his own terms, with his family watching on.
“It was either going to be this year or next year and it was great to be able to do it right,” Johnson said on Saturday.
“There wasn’t going to be a real opportunity for me next year. And I didn’t want to play for another club – I couldn’t bear to put on another jumper.
“This was the right way to do it, with my kids, my wife, my mum and dad and my brother and sister, all there to live the moment with me.”
It is fitting that Johnson got the timing of his retirement right, because he so often chose the right option at the right time – both on the field with his sublime skills and off the field with his leadership.
After starting out his career as a goal-sneak with Fitzroy, Johnson became the best creative defender in the business after moving to the Gabba following the 1996 merger with the Brisbane Bears.
“When he played that quarterback out of defence, his ability to pinpoint the ball and find the right option was fantastic,” Lions coach Leigh Matthews reflected.
“The back group in our premiership years was a great group and Chris was an All-Australian and an integral part of it.
“He has been very influential within the [playing] group. He’s one of those people who isn’t that heavy with the words, so when he says something, people take notice.”
Johnson exits the game with a long list of honours – three premierships, two All-Australian guernseys, captaincy of Australia in the 2005 International Rules series, second placing in the Lions’ 2005 fairest-and-best count and the last former Fitzroy player active in the competition.
He also says he’ll take with him skills he might not otherwise have acquired. The 31-year-old father of Lachlan, Preston, Aiden and Charlee has already started part-time work at AFL SportsReady with former Lions player development manager Shane Johnson.
“It is a bit emotional – but I’m happy and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Johnson said.
“It’s time to celebrate my career. It’s an era gone, with no more Fitzroy players any more, but there is still a lot of history in this club that is Fitzroy.
“Wearing the Fitzroy jumper is a great initiative of the club and hopefully down the track they can keep doing it.
“This club has given me great opportunities and some great life skills that I probably wouldn’t have learnt outside of football. It’s a great club to play for and I’m very proud to have played here.
“For any mother in Victoria or South Australia or anywhere and their son is coming up to play here, [I can tell you] they will be in good hands.”



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11th August, 2007. Johnson leads the boys out in his last game wearing a Fitzroy jumper.

[konstas_87]

one of my all-time favourite players during our flag years, a general across half back and was an absolute champion.

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Link (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22415002%255E19746,00.html)

Lethal keeps his Lions close

14 September 2007 Herald Sun
Andrew Hamilton

BRISBANE Lions coach Leigh Matthews has employed another loyal lieutenant, with former premiership star Chris Johnson joining the club's coaching ranks.
Johnson will fill the position left vacant by Shaun Rehn, who left the club last week.
Johnson's primary role will be in development, but he will also fulfil the team runner duties on match days.
Lions CEO Michael Bowers said Johnson's appointment would greatly assist the club's younger players.
"We saw an opportunity for Chris to play a role with our young, developing list of players," Bowers said.
"They have the utmost respect for one of this year's co-captains.
"He knows a lot about playing footy and we expect his knowledge will help fast track the development of youngsters such as Rhan Hooper."
Rehn quit his post suddenly last week. A source close to the club said he made the call after hearing his contract would not be renewed.
Rehn purchased a property in northern New South Wales midway through the season, and it is believed he has opted to trade football for a life on the land. Johnson played the last of his 264 games against Geelong in Round 22.
His departure will leave a massive hole of experience in the club's playing stocks. He won three premierships and All-Australian and International Rules selection.
Matthews has always preferred assistants who he has coached or been involved with at other clubs, and in Johnson, he gets an offsider who knows better than most the way he likes to do things.
Johnson joins former teammates Justin Leppitsch and Craig Lambert as assistant coaches, leaving only forward coach Paul Hudson as the only assistant to not play under Matthews.


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New role: Chris Johnson will be an assistant coach with the Lions.

[Dr Pea P.I]

“There wasn’t going to be a real opportunity for me next year. And I didn’t want to play for another club – I couldn’t bear to put on another jumper."

This is the most honorable line a footballer has said in many years. This is what makes you so proud to follow a club that produces players like Johnson - how many players these days say that they couldn't bear to put on another jumper? Is even more special since Johno overcame initial homesickness. I recall in his first couple of years at Brisbane when he had to fight for his spot in the team how i hoped every week he was named just so it didn't influence any desire to leave. Glad to see he will remain in Brisbane and help mature the up-and-coming players.

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Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=52421)

Scott, Johnson depart with heads held high
10:21 AM Fri 12 October, 2007 By Simon White
for lions.com.au

The retirement speeches of the two 200-plus gamers provided for some of the more emotional scenes at last weekend’s Merrett-Murray Medal presentation.
In typically modest fashion, the two-time All-Australian Johnson widely regarded as the best running defender at his peak downplayed his own contributions to the Lions’ hat-trick of premierships between 2001 and 2003.
“I was very lucky to be put in a group where something good was going to happen and I was just chucked in the mix,” Johnson said.“ I was very privileged to play with some great players. Chris Scott mentioned Vossy and Lynchy and two other guys who it was very special for me to play alongside, Michael McLean and Darryl White.””
An earlier anecdote during his retirement speech gave the crowd a chance to read between the lines - and understand the true level of Johnson’s talent and value to the Lions - just in case they hadn’t already guessed!
“ I got up here for a year and decided I didn’t like it and tried to jump ship,” Johnson recalled.
“(Then recruiting manager) Scott Clayton and the recruiting guys told me they were going to trade me told me that they’d get me back to Melbourne no worries. Then they told everyone in Melbourne that they weren’t going to be trading me.
“So, I’ve got to thank them for that.””


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End of Season Player Review

The post Voss era began for Johnson with the honour of being named one of five captains for the Lions in 2007. This was a testament to how far he had come after reluctantly arriving at Brisbane as a knock-about kid 11 years ago.

After playing forward last year, Leigh stated Johnno would be returning to the back half to give some experience and leadership to the young cubs. But with the defensive unit playing well during the NAB Cup and Adcock being able to general the troops, Johnno found himself playing as a leading forward.

Throughout the year Johnson made a consistent contribution, being able to bob up with a touch of class at important times. But with the game’s rapidly increasing importance on athleticism, it was hard for him to influence a game as much as in the past, and it was clear his best days were behind him.

Johnson had another injury interrupted season, missing 10 games in the middle of the year with a foot condition (plantar fasciitis). He missed out on the round 14 game when the Lions pulled off a massive upset against West Coast in the Fitzroy strip, but he was able to wear the guernsey one last time in round 19 against the Hawks.

Johnno retired in the last week of the home and away season. He leaves the game as a decorated player who was a very important component of one of the best sides to ever play the game. His individual achievements are as follows:

264 games
172 goals
19 finals
3 premierships (01, 02, 03)
All Australian (02, 04)
Lions co-captain (07)
Lions club champion runner up (05)
Fitzroy leading goalkicker (95)
Indigenous Team of the Century
Indigenous All Stars captain (05, 06)
Australian International Rules Series co-captain (06)
Lions Life Member.

But perhaps Johnson will best be remembered as the last remaining Fitzroy player, and his retirement brings with it an extra sense of sadness as he represents the end of an era.

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Chris Johnson brings cheer to 13,000 plus hardy fans after scoring a goal against Fremantle in the team's win of 1996 at the Western (Whitten) Oval. It was the final home ground of Fiztroy, from 1993-1996. Photo: Jim Hooper

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=53922)

Former Lions up for AFLPA honour
4:30 PM Thu 29 November, 2007
for lions.com.au

The completion of the 2007 season saw the collective retirement of some of the greatest ever names in football including Brisbane Lions Chris Johnson and Chris Scott.

On Thursday December 13, the AFLPA will host the first ever Madden Medal event. Aimed at celebrating the talent, commitment and effort it takes to play even a single game of AFL football, the AFLPA Madden Medal event farewells 2007 season retiring players whilst acknowledging the achievements of all players leaving the game.

Former Lions Johnson and Scott are among the nominees for the GNC LiveWell Football Achievement Award which will honour one player for their long-term elite level of sporting excellence.

The award’s criteria is based on games played, premierships, awards/medals, style of play, professionalism, leadership, development of the game, advocacy on behalf of the players and legacy to the game.

Johnson and Scott are among a star-studded list of 20 retirees nominated for this prestigious honour together with the likes of Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide), Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton), Nathan Buckley (Collingwood), James Hird (Essendon), Glenn Archer (Kangaroos) and Chris Grant (Western Bulldogs).

Chris Johnson at a glance…

Recruited from: Northern Knights (VIC) / Fitzroy


Draft details: Selection No.7 – 1993 National Draft

AFL debut: Fitzroy vs Essendon (OO), Rd 2, 1994

Last game: Lions vs Geelong (Gabba), Rd 22, 2007

Career games: 264

Career goals: 172

Finals: 19

Player honours:
Lions Premiership Player 2001, 2002, 2003
All Australian 2002, 2004
Lions Co-Captain 2007
Lions Club Champion Runner-Up 2005
Fitzroy Leading Goal Kicker 1995
Indigenous Team of the Century
Indigenous All Stars Captain 2005, 2006
Australian International Rule Series Co-Captain 2005
Lions Life Member

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[TheBrownDog]

Shouldn't Voss be eligible, he technically retired this year.

[Grimreepah]

Shouldn't Voss be eligible, he technically retired this year.

I guess they're setting the precedent that it is when you actually retire, not when you technically retire.

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Link (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/03/2108410.htm?section=sport)

Retired Lion won't play in NTFL

The Brisbane Lions have poured cold water on rumours its retired defender Chris Johnson could line up for reigning NTFL premier Southern Districts after Christmas.
Johnson is a good friend of Crocodiles captain Shannon Rusca and is also close to coach Michael McLean who was a player and assistant coach at the Lions.
A Brisbane spokesman says Johnson is now employed by the club as a full-time development coach and he won't be pulling on the boots while in that role.