Gareth John

Gareth John (born 17 January 1972) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne in the Australian Football League (AFL).

He was called into the Swans team in the early 1990s (during their injury riddled "darkest era"), and is the son of former champion South Melbourne player and coach Graeme John.^[1] 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 therefore 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 named him in 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.^[2] for best player in the league.

Although having impressed in his first season, the injuries he sustained were an ominous sign of things to come; yet his toughness and innate ability to play through injury was also noted. He broke his hand in the second quarter of his first game against Essendon but played out the remainder of the match battling hard against the older and far more experienced ruck duo of Simon Madden and Paul Salmon. The injury would sideline him for three weeks. With the Swans unable to field any supporting ruckmen on his return, many opposition teams adopted the tactic of rotating two players against the youngster in an attempt to shut him down. His considerable talent, however, often saw him feature amongst the best players. His first season finished prematurely, when in round 19, he broke his foot in the second quarter against Melbourne - yet once again he continued to play until the final siren.

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.^[3] Remarkably the young player walked off the field with blood pouring from his mouth, when the Swans medical team could not locate their stretcher. He was rushed by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital and given an emergency tracheotomy in order to save his life. At the time, Madden was 33yrs of age (had played 333 games) while John was 19yrs old and playing in his 11th game. A degree of controversy over the incident would later surface with questions asked over the style of ruck play that was considered safe at centre bounces. Many years later, then Swans coach Paul Roos, added to the controversy with his refusal to allow champion player Adam Goodes to compete at centre bounces for fear of injury. The following season the AFL introduced new rules for ruck play at centre bounces.

Having suffered one of the worst injuries in AFL history, many thought this would end John's career. However, later in season '91 it was announced on a TV special with Bruce McAvaney, 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.^[2] He fractured his ankle in the third quarter of a tough fought match against Collingwood in round 18, but in an incredible display of courage he once again played until the final siren - adding serious credibility to the TV commentators who said he was "obviously playing hurt". After the game it was revealed all players on the Swans interchange bench had also sustained injuries earlier in the match and had been ruled out of play by the club physician. John opted to play on, in an effort to try and help his team win.

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 in AFL, he played in one winning side, over a 22 game career.^[2]

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. Much of the interview also centered around his considerable dedication to charity work through organisations such as the Golden Stave, where he served as a committee member, and through his own fundraising initiatives for children's charities and various worthy causes.

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