Gareth John
Encyclopedia
Gareth John is a former Australian rules football
er who played with the Sydney Swans
and North Melbourne
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
One of many ruckman tried by the Swans in the early 1990 (during their injury riddled "darkest era"), he is the son of former champion South Melbourne player and coach Graeme John
.. A talented and courageous youngster who played as no.1 ruckman for the Victorian and Vic Country premiership teams in the Teal Cup Carnival's of 1988 and '89. He was therefor secured by Sydney in the 1988 VFL Draft
under the father-Son Rule
, to play for his team of choice.
In round 10 of 1990, after having started the year in the u/19's, the Swans called him into their injury depleted side. As an 18yr old, young John rose to the challenge; he played just seven games yet finished the year with the most hit-outs by a Sydney player and the equal most Brownlow
votes.. Although having impressed in his first season, the injuries he sustained were an ominous sign of things to come. He broke his hand in his very first game (missing three weeks) and his season finished prematurely after having played with a fractured foot against Melbourne in round 19. He started 1991 as Sydney's number one ruckman but injury would again end his season early. Playing against Essendon
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
, John had his larynx crushed in a ruck duel with Simon Madden
and almost died.. Remarkably the young player walked off the field with blood pouring from his mouth, when the Swans medical team could not locate their stretcher.
Having suffered one of the worst injuries in AFL history, many thought this would end John's career. However, later that year in an TV special with Bruce MaAvaney on Channel 7, it was announced that he was making a comeback. The show also detailed his baptism and confirmation and his struggles to regain fitness after a series of operations to his throat.
The former Gisborne
player returned to AFL football in 1992 and although he was named in the best players a number of times, injuries would only allow him to play six games.. A fractured ankle against Collingwood in round 18 again ended his season. He made another four appearances in 1993 but this time it was a lower back injury that ended his year. He was then picked up by North Melbourne with selection 63 in the 1993 AFL Draft
and suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the season which ultimately resulted in his retirement from the game at only 22yrs of age. During his time at Sydney he had played in just one win, from 21 games, and was also in the losing team in his only appearance with North Melbourne.. Sadly his career will be remembered for what could have been, had he not sustained so many debilitating injuries.
John was featured on Channel 7's "Where Are They Now" TV show in 2009, where it was revealed his lobbying to make ruck play safer for younger players.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
and North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
One of many ruckman tried by the Swans in the early 1990 (during their injury riddled "darkest era"), he is the son of former champion South Melbourne player and coach Graeme John
Graeme John
Graeme John was Managing Director of Australia Post from 1993 to 2009. From 1990 was Australia Post's Chief Manager of National Operations....
.. A talented and courageous youngster who played as no.1 ruckman for the Victorian and Vic Country premiership teams in the Teal Cup Carnival's of 1988 and '89. He was therefor secured by Sydney in the 1988 VFL Draft
1988 VFL Draft
The 1988 VFL National Draft was the third annual National draft held by the Victorian Football League . It consisted of a pre-season draft and a national draft....
under the father-Son Rule
Father-son rule
The father-son rule is a rule that allows clubs to select the sons of players who have made a major past contribution to the team in Australian rules football, most notably the Australian Football League...
, to play for his team of choice.
In round 10 of 1990, after having started the year in the u/19's, the Swans called him into their injury depleted side. As an 18yr old, young John rose to the challenge; he played just seven games yet finished the year with the most hit-outs by a Sydney player and the equal most Brownlow
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
votes.. Although having impressed in his first season, the injuries he sustained were an ominous sign of things to come. He broke his hand in his very first game (missing three weeks) and his season finished prematurely after having played with a fractured foot against Melbourne in round 19. He started 1991 as Sydney's number one ruckman but injury would again end his season early. Playing against Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
, John had his larynx crushed in a ruck duel with Simon Madden
Simon Madden
Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
and almost died.. Remarkably the young player walked off the field with blood pouring from his mouth, when the Swans medical team could not locate their stretcher.
Having suffered one of the worst injuries in AFL history, many thought this would end John's career. However, later that year in an TV special with Bruce MaAvaney on Channel 7, it was announced that he was making a comeback. The show also detailed his baptism and confirmation and his struggles to regain fitness after a series of operations to his throat.
The former Gisborne
Gisborne Football Club
The Gisborne Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Bendigo Football League.-Premierships:Riddell District Football League * 1934, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1997, 1998, 1999)...
player returned to AFL football in 1992 and although he was named in the best players a number of times, injuries would only allow him to play six games.. A fractured ankle against Collingwood in round 18 again ended his season. He made another four appearances in 1993 but this time it was a lower back injury that ended his year. He was then picked up by North Melbourne with selection 63 in the 1993 AFL Draft
1993 AFL Draft
The 1993 AFL Draft consisted of a mid-season draft, a national draft at the end of the season and a Pre-season draft, held before the 1994 AFL season....
and suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the season which ultimately resulted in his retirement from the game at only 22yrs of age. During his time at Sydney he had played in just one win, from 21 games, and was also in the losing team in his only appearance with North Melbourne.. Sadly his career will be remembered for what could have been, had he not sustained so many debilitating injuries.
John was featured on Channel 7's "Where Are They Now" TV show in 2009, where it was revealed his lobbying to make ruck play safer for younger players.