Freo have just announced that Mark Johnson will be retiring after the Collingwood game.

thanks for the memories johno, hated u at essendon loved u at freo.

I think he deserves a lap as well, something like this would be appropriate given my position in row A.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=2&ContentID=92849

thanks for pitching in Mark.

Always been one of my favorites - was thrilled when he came to the Dockers last year. I knew that it was just a short term thing though, it comes as no surprise that he decided to call it a day.

So, Other Johno, thanks for the effort. The three goals - especially the barge through one - against Port were the highlight of your time as a Docker. The tackles, in the absence of Blackie, brought a charge through us on some very frustrating days. The cool head and determination, when all around you were having panic attacks and running around like a bunch of bookans brought sanity to many a game this year.

Adios Amigo - there have been so many of these this year that the side looks like a chunk of Swiss cheese.

Ah, the barge through goal against Port. Now that won't be forgotten in a hurry. Great moment in an otherwise bleak season.

Wish you'd come here earlier. Sorry to see you go.

now with five retirements this season ,do we have to delist any players before the national draft?.

As a high draft pick, he's done all right for himslef and our Club. Certainly not a wasted pick as some pundits would tell you.

I reckon we need him next year. Is it too late to talk him around? There's not going to be anyone left who can tackle.

don't worry shane, we still have byron

My lasting memory of Mark Johnson will probably be the incredulous look on his face during a Sydney vs Essendon game when an umpire awarded a 50m penalty against him for abusing a Sydney player with the words:

"Get up you weak dog"

It seems that his staying at Freo in any capacity is slim.

One of my work colleagues who lives for Essendon told me that it has been on the cards for a while. She said that he wants to come back to Melbourne to focus on his non-football business as well as to be closer to family and friends (all this is now public knowledge given that it was printed in Age today).

Congrats Johno on your stint at Freo, and thanks for all you did at my mob. Was gutted to see you leave Essendon, and thankful that Freo gave you another crack at it.

Barely noticed him at the Bummers, the tradition continued at Freo.

So long and thanks for whatever it was, whenever it happened.

Am I missing something?

I enjoyed having MJ2 in the side this year but what I am a bit peeved at with the club is this:
In his interviews he seemed to indicate a good part of the reason for finishing was his body was spent. I distinctly remember Harves and whoever else defending the pick with the statement about him being tested and he was as fit as a 25 year old and having a few years in him. Either our docs and testers are hopeless or he is a good actor. The pick would have looked a lot better if he had lasted 2-3 years.

You're not missing anything Drubbing.

The club is missing a fat paycheck.

We got him for bottom dollar... he didn't play as much as was hoped but he filled a hole while younger bodies gained some conditioning and he filled that hole by playing well enough.

It was a no loss situation and that's how it's panned out. I reckon an eye might have been cast on his post playing career path and that eye might not have closed just yet.