Gareth John

Who is Gareth John?

Gareth John is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne in the Australian Football League.

He was called into the Swans team in the early 1990's, and is the son of former champion South Melbourne player and coach Graeme John. 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 therefor 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. 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.