JA as he is known around the club is much in the mould of Dustin Fletcher the great
Essendon champion and has given many an NTFL full forward or centre half forward something to think about
John started his career in the St Marys U/14’s as an eleven year old and a premiership
player in 1995/96. In 1996/97 he was voted the most improved for that season. In 1997/98 He was voted St Marys Best and Fairest
also in the U/14’s and won best on ground that year in a losing grand final
(the Michael Mclean medal)
In 1998/99 He won the trophies for the U/16’s as St Marys Best and Fairest and
again as the Best Backman for that grade
John played 33 U/16’s where he won the Hickman Medal (Best and Fairest in the
NTFL) in 1999/00 and also cleaned up the St Marys Best and Fairest Trophies for both the U/16’s and U/18’s.
He also won the trophy for Best and fairest in the U/18’s in season 2000/01 and
played 17 U/18’s games before he embarked on an NTFL league career which has spanned 12 Seasons (He missed out on playing
a game in 2006/07 and 2010/11 seasons due to injury) playing his first game in 1999/00 at the age of 15.
Since playing League he has won the best backman trophies in seasons 2008/09 and 2011/12
and he also received the coach’s trophy for 2011/12. He has also made the NTFL team of the year in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 His football trophy cabinet would have been bigger but for his love of Hockey
as he is also a champion Hockey player and has represented the territory on numerous occasions
John became the 38th St Marys player to be awarded player Life membership when he played
his 150th game against Nightcliff at Gardens on 2/12/2012
John has played in eight League premierships 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2008/09,
2009/10, 2012/13, 2013/14 and 4 junior premierships (U/14’s 1995/96, U/16’s 1999/00, U/18’s 1998/99 and
2001/02).
He also played in St Marys Grand Final side of 2014/15.
He played in the very first NT Thunder game against Southport in 2009 but never played
another game for NT Thunder due to knee surgery.
John lives in Wulagi with his wife Terri and his 3 children Aidan, Grace and Jack and
loves fishing, camping and playing with the kids and hopes that one day Aidan and Jack will play for his beloved club St Marys
and Grace will play for the highly successful women’s team.
At the end of Rd 4 season 2015/16 John has played a total of 199 games and kicked 4
goals for St Marys.
John will play his 200th game for St Marys when he runs out against Nightcliff
in Rd 6 2015/16 on 15/11/2015.
He is not only a wonderful player but an absolute credit to his family off the field
From all the St Marys players, supporters and myself congratulations John on a wonderful
career and the many hours of enjoyment you have given us….Rex
Note: He was actually made a life member of the NTFL two weeks ago against Palmerston in
Rd 4 when you add on to his total the one game for NT Thunder
