Johnson

Brett Johnson, wearer of the #10 guernsey over 2004-2005, was an honest midfielder for the Blues in a period where success was limited. Johnson was originally traded by Hawthorn at the end of the 2003 year, together with Hawk stalwart Daniel Harford, for Pick 51. Both of these players would finish 2nd and 3rd in the VFL 2006 Liston Trophy. The talk was that Harford had a big contract remaining with the Hawks, and in return for assuming the remaining term of the contract, the Blues would get the talented Johnson who was facing limited game time and opportunity as #1 pick Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell emerged into fantastic players for the Hawks. So the Blues picked up the two midfielders for a late draft pick. He played a total league career of 70 games and scored 19 goals.

Johnson had a strong first year for the Blues as a rotated, in & under midfielder, often played from the bench but securing 21 games (Rounds 1-21) in 2004. Averaging about 14 possessions, Johnson would either be used as an extractor of the ball - in a time where the Blues had few such players outside of Captain Anthony Koutoufides - or a defensive midfielder. Lacking pace and penetration with the kick, Johnson was not a natural defender or forward. But 21 games was a worthy effort in his first year.

Come 2005 and Johnson began to compete with youngsters Andrew Walker and Adam Bentick for a midfield role. To be fair to Johnson, the Carlton midfield in 2005 was smashed a few too many times and Johnson was at times a scapegoat omission come Thursday Night selection. Playing 11 games in 2005, including a special game against the Bombers, Johnson's average possessions increased to 14.4 but he was unable to keep his spot in the side. When demoted to the Bullants, Johnson was invariably in the Best Players, showing true commitment to playing at his best.

An honest and popular player, many fans felt as though Johnson was unlucky to be delisted come 2005.

In 2006 he played for Williamstown in the VFL and had an excellent season, finishing runner up in the Liston Trophy. In 2010, he would captain the VFL side to a crushing 55 points win over the WAFL representative team, which was played in WA. Johnson racked up 33 possessions during the game.

Johnson was originally recruited from Swan Districts, WA.

Milestones