Tassie Johnson

DOB: 2 December, 1937
Debut: Round 1, 1959 against Richmond at Punt Road,
Last Game: Round 20, 1969 against South Melbourne at Lake Oval

Games: 202
Goals: 20
Career Statistics

From: North Launceston

Number: 8 1959-1969

Honours:
Premiership Player - 1959, 1960, 1964
Captain - 1969
Team of the Century - full back
150 Heroes selection
Victorian state player - 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 (12 times)

Known as Tassie due to the prevalence of other Robert Johnsons at Melbourne, Tassie had to sit out of football for a year while waiting for a clearance from North Launceston.

After playing most of his football in Tasmania as a key position forward, Johnson became one of the league's best defenders. He played at full-back in his first two premiership sides, before turning out as a back pocket in the last.

Despite being interviewed for a position as playing coach at Albury, Johnson opted to remain at the Demons, and in Melbourne where he worked, and was promoted to vice-captain in 1967. Later in his career was used in other positions including centre-half forward. In Round 16, 1969 he became the first Tasmanian to play 200 VFL games before retiring at the end of the year.

After his retirement Johnson captain/coached Box Hill in the VFA.

Johnson's son Tony played Under 19's in 1981

Lists
VFA

Links
Wikipedia profile

Media
"Albury wants VFL player to coach" - The Age 16/08/1967