JOHNSON, Jason

Jason Johnson was recruited from the Calder Cannons Under 18s in the 1996 National Draft with selection 28 that Essendon received from Port Adelaide for Scott Cummings. As a young footballer he represented Vic Metro and was All-Australian in 1996. He was also in the VSFL Team of the Year in 1996.

He made his senior debut in Round 17, 1997 against North Melbourne at the MCG and played three senior games in 1997, eight in 1998 and four in 1999.

A fit and ferocious Johnson became an integral part of the Club's greatest season in 2000. He played all 25 games, won a premiership medal, and also the Club's Most Courageous Player award. His Round 20 performance against Carlton, when he picked up 14 last quarter possessions and kicked two goals, was perhaps his best for the year.

He missed only two games from 2000 to 2003 and cemented his role in the Essendon midfield.

In 2001 he played in all but one game for the season culminating with his first Crichton Medal, All-Australian selection and his second Grand Final appearance (a loss to Brisbane). One of his best games for the year was the so-called Comeback Game when Essendon defeated North Melbourne despite trailing by 69 points at quarter time. He won three Brownlow Medal votes that memorable day.

Johnson followed up his terrific 2001 season with another in 2002, coming runner-up in the Crichton Medal with 279 votes. He also shared the Best in Finals award with Mark Johnson.

After three stellar seasons in a row, some thought he would go off the boil in 2003, but Johnson proved the doubters wrong by playing in 22 games and finishing third in the Crichton Medal. The rugged midfielder was ranked first at the club in 2003 for hard ball gets, ruck dual clearances, handball receives and uncontested marks.

He had another excellent year in 2004, finishing second in the Club's Best and Fairest with 315 votes, just seven votes behind Adam McPhee. He played 19 matches and kicked 14 goals.

Jason played in all 22 games of the 2005 season. He was a great contributor to the team and this was acknowledged when he won his second Crichton Medal. He also played his 150th game for the Club in Round 21 against Carlton, where the team managed to make the day even more memorable for Johnson with a 99 point victory.

He played 19 games in 2006, kicking 10 goals. But in 2007 a foot injury took its toll and he played only 10 games for the year, followed by four in 2008.

Johnson retired at the end of 2008 after 184 games, a premiership medal and two Best and Fairest awards.

His grandfather, Mike Higgins, played two games for Footscray in 1933.

Jason Johnson was named at number 52 in the Champions of Essendon (2002).

Following retirement, he spent some years as a chef, before becoming a real estate agent. He also joined the AFL Tribunal in 2021.