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Career Profile

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).

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).

Draft History: 1996 National AFL Draft 2nd round selection (Essendon) No. 28 overall, traded by Port Adelaide for
Scott Cummings
Junior Honours: Commonwealth Bank U17 Cup - Vic. Metro Representative - 1996
Australian Representative - 1996
VSFL Team of the Year - 1996
Player Honours: Best and Fairest - 2001, 2005
2nd Best and Fairest - 2002, 2004
3rd Best and Fairest - 2003
Most Courageous Player - 2000
Best performance in finals - 2002
Bomberland player of the year - 2002
Best Clubman - 2005
EFC Life Membership - 2007
Premierships: 2000
Pre-season premierships: 2000
Reserves grade premierships: 1999
AFL Rising Star Nominee - 1998
AFL Grand Final appearance - 2001
All-Australian - 2001
Australian Rules International representative - 2001, 2004
Career Bronlow Medal votes: 51

View Jason's profile in our Past Player database

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