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Milestone match turns sour

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

It was meant to be one of the highlights of his career but against Richmond at Subiaco Oval, his undefeated side was being outdone for the first time in 2015 and he had been struck by a hamstring injury.

The veteran backman is expected to miss up to 10 weeks with the ailment.

Johnson had high hopes for his 200th clash when he talked of the milestone at a press conference last Tuesday.

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He described the double century as something special, but lamented off-field issues in 2010 as a dent in his career.

"Two hundred games is a lot of football in the AFL," he said.

"There have been a few hiccups" injury, off-field and a few other things, and form as well, but that's part of the AFL system these days and you do have some bumps along the way."

On Friday, Johnson became just the ninth Docker to reach the 200 club, joining the likes of Shane Parker, Shaun McManus and skipper Mathew Pavlich.

"Fremantle is the team that I supported as a youngster and to be named along with those other players that have played over 200 games will be something special," Johnson said.

His career was at the crossroads in 2010 after being caught by police in possession of cocaine.

"It was a massive dent in my career," he said.

"It did set me back a bit but I believe it made me a better person, a better father and a better footy player.

"It did take me a while to earn the trust back from the players and the staff.

"I knew it was going to be a long road but all I could do was put my head down and work hard for the club and I think I've done that."

The defender was recruited from Perth Football Club in the 2004 pre-season draft, going on to debut in Round 4 of the 2005 season against the Tigers.

He has become a mainstay of the Fremantle defence, but also proved handy at times up forward.