What we're talking about

NW on Win A Lexus with The Rumour File That common sense has become very uncommon! more
Ela Carte on Ela Carte's Morsels Hi Gail,I think you must mean Noir, which is at 175 Swan St Richmond - www.noirrestaurant.com.au.And yes, it was absolutely ... more
peter on Win A Lexus with The Rumour File RE YOUR RUMOUR FILE ALL THIS MONEY MR DOYLE IS SPENDING ON SWANSTON ST I THINK RUMOUR USED TO BE FACT THAT SWANSTON ST IS A ... more
Nicholas on 3AW Online Community HUGE GARAGE SALE!Everything is absolutely cheap29 Greensted Grove, Roxburgh Park8:00 - 4:00 more
Jaime on Ask Bob Hart a food question Hi Bob,I've been getting extra organised this year and have already started making my Christmas puddings for family and ... more
Marty Cogger on Streaming 3AW with Mac and iPhone Please tell me why no android app,does apple own the world.No all the the people in the world have to own anything apple. more
Caroline on 3AW Online Community Choir of Hope & Inspiration â?? Joy to the World concertWed 7th December Christmas Concert - 7:30pm, St Michaelâ??s Uniting ... more
gail creighton on Ela Carte's Morsels Morning Ela I was wondering if you could advise the restaurant that you were discussing with Ross and John on Friday morning ... more
Nina on 3AW Online Community Garage Sale - 16 Wilsons Road Doncaser this Saturday 26th November starting at 8.00am. Vintage homewares, manchester, ... more
Mim and Millie on Mikayla Francis not forgotten We love and miss our cheeky little princess. Will be sending you love and messages on Sunday.XXX more
Anonymous on BLOG: Eastlink speed camera I'm glad to see I'm not alone on this. I received a fine yesterday for the Wellington Rd underpass, when I know for a fact ... more
Sandra Pemberton on 3AW Online Community Garage sale, Saturday 5th November from 8am, 9 Shenfield Avenue Chelsea- while you're at the beach today pop in and have a ... more
liberty1 on Do Not Fit A Smart Meter! Smart meters are a part of the United Nations Agenda 21 plan. Everyone here will know about Agenda 21 indirectly, it is also ... more
olive on Do Not Fit A Smart Meter! Because we have a granny flat,there would be 2 smart meters on the wall directly behind our bedhead. Does anyone know how ... more
Mich Smith on Do Not Fit A Smart Meter! Our block of units had smart meters installed without consent and with no prior notification either. My partner bought an ... more
Gillian Horvath on 3AW Online Community SALES BONANZA : Fundraiser for the Drysdale Bowling & Croquet Club, Collins St, Drysdale : Sunday 6th November : 10am to ... more
Graham Ferguson on Streaming 3AW with Mac and iPhone another vote for an android app more
Dianne on 3AW Online Community Sandy Point Wind FestivalCup Weekend Saturday 30 October and Sunday 31 October.Sandy Point is approx 2 hours from Melbourne ... more
lola on Smart meter rollout continues I just listened to the Energy Minister Michael O'Brien say that we all pay for the SM whether we have it installed or not! ... more
Sue Mittermair on Do Not Fit A Smart Meter! Say no to Smart Metres. An enquiry to suspend is needed now. Power prices will go up. Everyone I know who has a smart metre ... more

Johnson to announce his retirement

Posted by: Will Brodie | 6 September, 2010 - 1:08 PM

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson has decided to retire at the end of this season.

The AFL veteran announced his decision at a media conference at Whitten Oval this afternoon.

The 34-year-old said he would play out the year but he determined some time ago that the 2010 season would be his last.

"I'm leaving a fantastic club that has played a huge part in who I am today," Johnson told the packed press conference.

"When you're involved in footy for so long you really do have the time of your life. Without a doubt myself and my family have had an absolute fantastic time at this club. I've been here a while, half my life but I've enjoyed every part of that," Johnson said.

"Obviously there are so many people to thank and I was lucky enough to do that this morning with Rodney (coach Rodney Eade) and the players.

"I certainly had that opportunity at my testimonial in saying thank you to so many people at that occasion in my mind I obviously knew then that this would be it.

"I probably knew half way through the year I spoke to (my wife) Donna halfway through the year and said this would probably be my last."

"If I went on next year that I would probably step away from the captaincy and just really enjoy one more year of footy

"Now is the right time for myself to say that I am going to leave the game at the end of the year."

A disappointed Brad Johnson after his team's qualifying final loss to Collingwood: is it the end for the Bulldog champion? Photo: Pat Scala

Johnson admitted he had played quite poorly in the club's qualifying final loss to Collingwood on Saturday night.

"I'm certainly a realist which is why I'm making the decision to finish up."

Johnson said he knew his role within the Bulldogs team in recent years had changed.

"It's about what these guys can produce on game day and my major role the last couple of years without doubt is getting these guys to be ready for game day so that we’re in a position to perform at such a high level and get a win so our supporters and we can walk away with a smile on our face and get back to our next challenge," he said.

"They're the guys that have inspired me for all my career."

Johnson has played 362 games since his debut in 1994. Famously hardy, he played a minimum of 21 games in every season from 1995 to 2009, but ankle and achilles injuries have kept him to just 13 matches in 2010.

Clearly underdone or hampered by his ailments, Johnson struggled to make an impact in his team's 62-point loss to Collingwood on Saturday night. The Bulldogs fielded 11 players 28 or older in that clash, which condemned them to a cut-throat final against the in-form Sydney Swans. The Bulldogs have struggled since a flu-riddled line-up was annihilated by Geelong in round 20.

From grin to grimace: Brad Johnson feels the pain in round 19. Photo: Getty Images

Johnson, originally a wingman, played much of his career as a hard-running forward, booting 558 goals. He won three club best-and-fairest awards, was named All-Australian six times, including once as captain, and has led the Dogs since 2006.

Scrupulously fair, courageous, and invariably sporting a wide grin, Johnson is amongst the most admired figures in football. Bulldog great Doug Hawkins described him today as "a perfect role model."

Hawkins said Johnson was "not only a Bulldogs great ... but a VFL/AFL great."

Blog comments

About time johno

col Monday 6 September, 2010 - 7:38 PM
Mmmm... cooked scapegoat, my favorite.
Over 300 games for his club, captain and a bloody good footballer. Probably played a year too long but that would be the extent of his crimes against the Western Bulldogs.
If you think they needed a reason to sack Acker, beyond the 20 or so he gave them your kidding yourself. That said, I doubt Brad will lose a lot of sleep because someone who doesn't know him from adam decides not to like him. Get over yourself Neil. History will judge Johnsons football career favourably, just as it should

paddy Monday 6 September, 2010 - 6:53 PM
hahahahahaha, karma got you johno, thats what happens when you lie to get one of your teamates sacked, you cost your team a chance of winning a flag.

Neil Monday 6 September, 2010 - 3:53 PM
good riddance to bad rubbish, i used to admire this guy, but after he deliberately lied to his teamates to get rid of Akermanis, he lost all my respect, i have no time for these types.

Neil Monday 6 September, 2010 - 2:54 PM