Johnson first played for the Bombers in 1997. He strung together some senior matches late the following season – doing so with a broken toe. The toe was operated and subsequently became infected and he missed the entire 1999 season. But in 2000 Johnson announced himself as a legitimate senior footballer and he was a star of the record-breaking team. He followed it up the following season winning Essendon’s best and fairest and being named an All Australian.
Johnson is pleased to have reached a significant milestone. “It has taken a while to get here – there were a few hiccups early on but I have strung some football together in the last few years,” Johnson said. “I think you are lucky if you are able to string 100 games together and do it at the one club. I think the key to the past few years has been putting some good pre-seasons together. I am very proud to reach the milestone but it is more important that we win this weekend and get to 6-6.”
“The Kangaroos had an emotional win last week and played very well but we are pretty pumped for the game. We just need to get back to the winners’ list. We were really disappointed with the last half against the Swans – particularly the contest we gave around the ball. We need to get better there this week because the Kangaroos are very hard at the ball – Simpson, Stevens, King are very hard at it.”
Johnson said he was pleased to have good friend Adam Ramanauskas back from injury for his 100th match. “I have been trying to pump him up to get him back for my 100th – it is just great to have him back on the ground. He is a good bloke – the butt of a few jokes but he gives his fair share back,” Johnson said. “What happened certainly puts football in perspective. The little things like that make you realise how lucky you are.”
