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From the Caulfield Glen Eira Leader
Reported by Paul Amy
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AT Port Melbourne, he was not just Frank Johnson. He was “the legendary Frank Johnson’’ or “the great Frank Johnson’’.

A champion ruckman who crossed the bridge from association to league football with ease late in his career, Johnson died yesterday at the age of 84.

In 2007 he was the first (and remains the only) VFA player to be inducted to the Australian football hame of fame.

Johnson was at Port from 1950-57, winning five best and fairests and the 1952 JJ Liston Trophy, playing in eight consecutive grand finals and the 1953 premiership team, and gaining selection in the 1953 and ‘56 All Australian sides.

He also coached the Borough in 1956-57.

Frank Johnson marking in the 1952 VFA grand final against Oakleigh.
Johnson then coached South Warrnambool in 1958-59 and the following year joined South Melbourne, which had coveted his signature for some years.

In his first season as a Swan he won the best and fairest at age 27, edging out Bobby Skilton. He stayed with South until 1964, notching 64 games.

In 2003 Johnson told Leader how he had got to the Swans.

Returning to Melbourne after his stint in Warrnambool, he landed a job at the South Melbourne paint firm Brolite and one day South great Ron Clegg lobbed at the counter.

“What are you doing back here?’’ a surprised Clegg asked.

“You’d better come and have a run with us. I’ll see if I can get you a quid.’’

Johnson hesitated: “I don’t know ... I’m too old to be trying to break into that standard of football.’’

His clearance went through on the eve of the season.

“Just over 6’1, his towering marks and tapping out in the ruck were a treat to watch,’’ the Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers said of Johnson.

Former South Melbourne star and triple Port Melbourne premiership coach Gary Brice said on Saturday: “Frank Johnson is the best player the club has produced.

“What an outstanding record … All Australian player as a VFA player up against the best ruckmen in Australia, multiple best and fairests at Port and then late in his career goes to the Swans and wins a best and fairest and plays in the interstate carnival with the VFL.

“I can remember watching him as a kid. He used to dominate games. He was a superstar. Bob Bonnett said he was the best player he ever saw, and coming from a legend like Bob, that’s pretty high praise.’’

And Brice called Johnson “one of the most humble men you’d ever meet … couldn’t understand what the fuss was all about’’.

Port Melbourne named him captain of its team of the century.

Frank Johnson at the 2014 JJ Liston Trophy presentation with fellow Port Melbourne great Fred Cook.
Johnson was also a life member of the Borough and of the VFA/VFL, with former league general manager Martin Stillman calling him “one of the greatest players seen in our competition’’.

The VFL names the medal for best player in representative matches the Frank Johnson Medal.

“Our thoughts are with the Johnson family,’’ a VFL spokesman said.

“His name will always live on in the history of the competition as a VFL life member and with the state game best-on-ground named after him.’’

Johnson’s sons Frank and Greg followed him into the Port Melbourne jumper and Frank junior figured in the 1980 premiership team.

Port Melbourne will wear black armbands today in its clash with Werribee at the North Port Oval.

Frank Johnson is survived by daughters Kathie and Kerry and sons Frank junior and Greg.

Funeral arrangements are being made.