Courtney Johns

Courtney Johns is an Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League. Wearing the number 21 Guernsey, he plays full-forward and occasional back, seen as a power forward due to his strong build, height, ability to take a strong mark and inflict damage.

Johns was recruited by Essendon from East Fremantle (WAFL) playing in the colts, State U18s & reserves, until a career threatening fractured labrum in his draft year (2002 rookie draft) which kept him from the playing field for over two years. The injury left doubts that he would ever run again, let alone play football.

He had several surgeries to remove floating bone fragments from his distraught left hip, prolonged rehabilitation and a modified training regime to make an apparent full recovery. He was elevated to senior level in 2005, and ranked as the second fastest Bomber over 20m in pre-season testing.

Was easily spotted on the field by his trademark blonde dreadlocks, which he shaved off mid-season and now sports short back and sides.

He suffered an injury (ribs) after the Round 14 game against Fremantle Football Club, where he showed good signs in his best game for the club until that stage - booting 3 goals and taking 7 marks.

When he made his return in Round 19, he continued to show good signs with another 3 goal haul against Collingwood, helping to result in Essendon's third win for the season.

Round 20 against Hawthorn saw him kick no goals and have little impact as in previous games that season. He made up for it to some extent by kicking a goal against Richmond in Round 21. The Bombers last game for the season was against the Western Bulldogs, though they had nothing to play for except a win, Essendon fought hard and Johns kicked his last goal for the season.