Vale Rex Johns

[Ford Fairlane]

Read on tpfp that Rex Johns passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Rex was a star full forward at Port Adelaide, playing 134 games between 1954-63, kicking 451 goals at 3.37 per game. Fos Williams named him at full forward in his 'Best Port Adelaide Team 1950-73'. Johns was a four time premiership player - 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1962.

Johns topped Port's goalkicking 6 times, and the SANFL's goalkicking 4 times. He played 5 state games for 17 goals.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Another one from the glory era especially Williams playing time is gone. Lloyd Zucker now Rexy Johns gone in the last 10 weeks or so. I guess those guys are starting to get to that age. Bobby Quinn last year.

I hope the club gets most of these guys from the 40s and 50s and if there are any left from the 30s on film and record their stories.

 

[SYDpower]

Another one from the glory era especially Williams playing time is gone. Lloyd Zucker now Rexy Johns gone in the last 10 weeks or so. I guess those guys are starting to get to that age. Bobby Quinn last year.

I hope the club gets most of these guys from the 40s and 50s and if there are any left from the 30s on film and record their stories.

That is a great idea. I might send an email to the club with your permission with this idea (although they may have already done something like this and we are unaware of it).

I was down at the club last night having tea with friends, one of them being Alan Greer who played in the 50's with Port & played in some of our hey day teams. He played with Rexie, although Rexie was much younger than Alan.

The news about Rexie was passed around and a quiet drink was consumed in his honour.

Vale Rexie.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

That is a great idea. I might send an email to the club with your permission with this idea (although they may have already done something like this and we are unaware of it).

No worries go ahead with the email.

 

[Asgardian]

Vale Rex, thoughts are with his family

 

[Ebert80]

I heard a story that when Neil Hawke kicked 15 goals in a game and was dropped, it was for big Rex to come back into the side.

RIP Rex.

 

[Quadzilla]

Vale Rex ... RIP.

Never saw him play but a great player of the 1950s successful era!

 

[seanmorr]

Vale Rex ... RIP.

Never saw him play but a great player of the 1950s successful era!

I was speaking to my old man about him yesterday. He said Rex Johns had that Tony Modra awe about him for that era.

 

[Enviable Tradition]

Good to see the club recognising their pre 1997 champions like Rex on the website too.

 

[johnnycjay]

Rex was a legend of the game in South Australia and a reveared figure in the port Adelaide community. He was also a contributor to junior footy later in life. It was great to see Rex at the MCG at the 2004 GF. He will be sadly missed at the Henley hotel where he was always amoungst friends. Good to here they filled a stand at Alberton for his farewell. Vale Rex Johns.

 

[BigFish72]

I knew Rex johns very well as a young fella. Went to primary school with his son Chris and Rex coached us all as kids at Fulham Primary School. He was from memory an excellent coach, hard but fair and we all liked him a lot. Being young I knew not of his prior prowess other than he used to play for Port. I spent many afternoons at his home in Fulham and have many fond memories. Belated condolences to Chris and family.