What a Bomber champion...!
From the AFL website...
FIRST year Fremantle utility and Essendon premiership player Mark Johnson has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Johnson, 30, will play the final two games of a decorated career against Richmond at the MCG and Collingwood at Subiaco Oval.
Johnson played 194 games and won the 2000 premiership with Essendon before being delisted at the end of 2007. Fremantle offered him a lifeline for one more season in the AFL and allowed him the chance to reach his 200-game milestone.
He struggled early in the year with a knee injury and was suspended in the WAFL but has been able to cement his spot in the team in the second half of 2008, and has played 12 games so far this season.
Johnson now joins Peter Bell, Shaun McManus, Matthew Carr and Heath Black as Fremantle retirements this year.
Coach Mark Harvey said in a statement on fremantlefc.com.au the former Bomber found a niche at Fremantle, regardless of where he was required to play.
“Mark has always had an amazing will to win and a great depth of character,” he said.
“He’s always had the ability to play well in big matches and do big jobs on the best small forwards going round but then be able to go forward and kick goals.”
Mark Harvey said the club’s younger players had learnt a lot from the veteran.
“They’ve learnt a lot from Mark about how to prepare mentally and physically for a game and how to keep your body in immaculate condition,” he said.
“Mark’s also very good at reading the opposition and knowing how to go after them.
“One of the things that struck me about him is his ability to throw himself into a contest, which would then leave you wondering where had come from or how he had got there.”
Fremantle chief executive officer Steve Rosich praised Mark for the positive impact right across the board during his time at Fremantle.
“Mark has been a real asset to the Fremantle Football Club on and off the field during his time with us and we wish him all the very best in his life after football,” he said.
