Dockers ‘disappointed’ with Michael Johnson, say he’s ‘co-operating fully’
The Fremantle Dockers say they are “disappointed” at the situation Michael Johnson found himself in and have confirmed the veteran defender is “cooperating fully” with authorities over a weekend allegation of assault.
A Bunbury school teacher has accused Johnson of assaulting him in a Leederville kebab shop, in an incident he claims occurred when he filmed the 2013 All-Australian with his pants down at 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Vision shown on 7 News shows Johnson with his trousers around his ankles but not the moment of the alleged assault.
The teacher on Monday reported the incident to police in Bunbury.
The Dockers said on Monday evening they would not comment on the incident – other than to confirm they were aware of it – and that they would wait until investigations were complete.
But on Tuesday morning, Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich expanded on the club’s stance.
“We are treating the matter seriously and we are very disappointed that Michael placed himself in such a situation last weekend,” Rosich said in a statement.
“Michael, who was on leave at the time, is a senior player and a member of our leadership group.
“In this instance the position Michael placed himself in, including his alleged behaviour, was not acceptable. As a club we support the person and challenge the behaviour.
“Thankfully, there was not anyone seriously injured.
“The club has advised the AFL and will continue to update the AFL until the matter is resolved.
“Given that the matter is still being investigated by police, the club is not in a position to comment further or discuss any possible sanction until the investigative and legal process is completed.”
Johnson was previously removed from the Dockers’ leadership in 2010 because of a drug charge. He was reinstated in January, in the lead-up to a 2016 season in which he would play only four games because of injury.
The 32-year-old has played 209 AFL games since debuting in 2005 and his presence in defence is widely regarded as pivotal to Fremantle bouncing back from a disastrous year, in which the Dockers dropped from minor premiers to fourth last on the ladder.
Before the Johnson incident, Fremantle had a great start to the off-season, using the trade period to add Cam McCarthy from GWS, Bradley Hill from Hawthorn, Joel Hamling from the Western Bulldogs and Shane Kersten from Geelong, as coach Ross Lyon looks to return the club to finals contention.
