Australian Football

Invariably, if not particularly originally, known as ‘Blue’, in testimony to his vibrant shock of red hair, George Johnston was one of the most popular players in Glenelg’s history, as well as being one of the most popular footballers to win South Australian football’s premier individual award, the Magarey Medal. In 13 seasons at the Bay Oval, Johnston played 203 league games (the first Glenelg player to pass the 200 mark) from 1927 to 1940 (he spent the 1931 season as captain-coach of Penola), won three best and fairest awards, and put in a best afield performance as the club broke its premiership duck against Port Adelaide in 1934.

Smaller than most opposition ruckmen, he boasted deceptive strength that almost always enabled him to commandeer front position (as photographs showing him in action repeatedly appear to confirm). He was also extraordinarily resilient, an asset which inevitably came to the fore during interstate clashes with the VFL. Johnston played a total of 16 interstate games for South Australia, and his predilection for the big game arena ensured he almost invariably featured among the best players.

Characteristically modest, he believed that teammate Len Sallis should have won the 1934 Magarey Medal, but few impartial football supporters doubted that the umpires had got it right.

Author - John Devaney