BIO

Eric George Johnson joined Norwood from the Renmark Rovers in 1928 and immediately proved his worth.
He was named Norwood’s best player and kicked a vital goal in his first B grade match as the home team hung on for a draw at Norwood Oval on 16 June with a score of 14.6 to Glenelg’s 13.12. 

A week later he made his league debut and kicked two second-half goals in the 14.10 to 9.7 defeat of South Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Norwood was only one point ahead early in the last quarter before pouring on six goals, with Eric kicking the last to seal victory. His transfer from defence to the forward lines at halftime yielded “successful results”, ‘High Mark’ noted in The Register.

Eric was described as “a well-built half-forward who handles the ball well”.  He was mainly a league player but kicked three goals in seven seconds games for Norwood.  He missed the 1929 season and bowed out early in 1933.  He began at centre wing in his last league game but was moved to half-forward in the second half.  Glenelg beat Norwood 16.8 to 14.8.  As often happened, Eric George Johnson was overshadowed by his near-namesake, the champion Norwood rover Eric Alfred Johnson, who kicked four goals. 

Eric George Johnson was born at Langhorne Creek on 28 February 1906.  His parents, Frederick James Johnson and Emily Jane Lindsay, had two older sons, Lindsay Frederick and Kenneth Charles. 
Eric and his brother Lindsay were farming with their father at Paringa in 1928 when they sued the owners of the land for allegedly breaking an agreement.  The Johnsons claimed £426 compensation and were awarded £399 19/- in a case which received wide publicity.

Eric enlisted in the Australian Army on 29 March 1942 and served a private in the 3 Battalion Volunteer Defence Force until his discharge on 27 February 1943. He married Hilda Gertrude Reschke in Adelaide in 1944 and they had three sons, Peter, Gary and Dennis.  E. G. Johnson died at Glenelg on 31 August 1982 and is buried at Centennial Park.

P. Robins, D. Cox, G. Adams May 2025