Joe Johnson (Australian footballer)

Joseph Andrew Johnson (19 January 1883 – 23 April 1934) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and is recognised as the first ever Indigenous Australian to play in the VFL.[1]

Joe Johnson
Personal information
Full name Joseph Andrew Johnson
Date of birth (1883-01-19)19 January 1883
Place of birth Newcastle, New South Wales
Date of death 23 April 1934(1934-04-23) (aged 51)
Place of death Carlton, Victoria
Original team(s) Northcote (VFA)
Debut 1904, Fitzroy
vs. Carlton, at Princes Park
Height 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1904–1906 Fitzroy 55 (15)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1906.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Born near Newcastle, New South Wales to Melbourne-born parents,[2] Johnson was recruited from Victorian Football Association (VFA) side Northcote Football Club and made his senior debut for Fitzroy Football Club in Round One 1904 against Carlton.[3] Initially playing as a half-back-flanker, Johnson played in back to back premiership teams in 1904 and 1905. In 1907, Johnson left Fitzroy for VFA side Brunswick as playing coach, playing in their inaugural premiership in 1909. In 1912 he returned to Northcote as playing coach until 1914.[4]

Johnson has been lauded for his role in being the first known Aboriginal footballer in Victoria, "leading the way" for other Aboriginal players to star in football.[5]

Johnson's son Percy Johnson, grandson Percy Cummings and great-grandsons Robert and Trent Cummings also played VFL/AFL football.[4][6]

Johnson died suddenly on 24 April 1934 and his funeral held the next day in Carlton.[7]

References
  1. Bews, Andrew (7 May 2007). "Changing Colours". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  2. Fiddian, p. 82.
  3. "Carlton v Fitzroy 07 May 1904". AFL Tables. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  4. Moncrieff, D. "Thank You Joe Johnson", Aboriginal Football, 16 August 2005 http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5545-0-0-0&sID=75918&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5878904&sectionID=75918 Accessed 10 September 2009
  5. Gordon, M. "The PM, footy and symbolic reconciliation", The Age, 2 August 2005. http://www.theage.com.au/realfootyVariables.path/1122748579053.html Accessed 10 September 2009
  6. Muyt, A. "Black, Maroon and Blue", Maroon and Blue, http://www.maroonandblue.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=28 Archived 26 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 10 September 2009
  7. "Old Player's Death". The Argus (27, 357). Victoria, Australia. 24 April 1934. p. 11.

Sources
  • Fiddian, M. (2016) The VFA: A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877 - 1995, Melbourne Sports Books: Melbourne.
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