Kane Johnson broke new ground as one of the first high-profile Victorian juniors drafted by the Adelaide Crows.

The Victorian under-17 captain and All Australian was claimed by the Crows in the 1995 national draft and made his AFL debut the next year, playing two games, after being assigned to SANFL club Glenelg. He became a Crows regular in 1997 and played in the two premierships, performing well in both grand finals across half-back and in the midfield. Over the next few seasons Johnson had a constant battle with soft tissue injuries but was still an important contributor. However, after 104 games in seven seasons at Adelaide he asked to be traded to Richmond.

Johnson had personal success with the Tigers but did not play another final. He finished runner-up in the Tigers’ best-and-fairest in both 2003-04, was appointed captain in 2005 and in 2006 won Jack Dyer Medal as the best-and-fairest. He stepped aside as captain at the end of 2008 and then retired midway through 2009, because of knee issues, with a total of 220 AFL games to his credit.

Kane Johnson at the Crows

Guernsey number: 28

Crows debut: Round 14 v Brisbane, 1996

AFC games: 104. AFC goals: 44.

Recruited from: Eastern U18

Pick 27, national draft 1995

DOB: March 15, 1978

He said:

“The first year was tough, I was 17. But it was good fun in Adelaide.”

Random info:

He barracked for Richmond in his teenage years.

Worked as an apprentice electrician in his first years with Adelaide.

Jason Torney was the Richmond player who joined Adelaide as part of the Johnson deal to return home.

Crows career: