Born: Atherton
Home town: Herberton
Enjoys: Kids, music
Qualifications: Plumber
10 years from now I'll be...living somewhere comfortable with my family
Describe yourself: Loyal & dedicated
If I wasn't playing rugby league, I'd be...probably plumbing
Favourite movie: The Notebook
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Role model: My parents
Biggest career achievement so far: Two premierships with Melbourne & playing for Qld
Best off-field achievement: Two daughters
Biggest career challenge so far: Pre-season training
What do you like most about playing league? The mateship
Most respected opponent: Petero Civoniceva
Favourite rugby league player of all time: Micheal Luck
First team you ever played league for: Herberton Magpies
Pre-game ritual: Try and sleep in
Best career advice you were ever given: If people say you can't do something, prove them wrong
Training diet tip: Eat healthy foods
Goal for 2013: Play consistently well, week in, week out
Johnson was raised on his family's farm on the Atherton Tablelands and played his junior football for the Atherton Roosters.
He was scouted by the Melbourne Storm and after playing in the Queensland Cup for the Storm's affiliate club, Brisbane Norths, he made his NRL debut in round one of the 2003 season. After three seasons of regular first-grade football, Johnson was selected by Queensland in the State of Origin series for the first time and later that year played in Melbourne's grand final loss to Brisbane.
He was a key member of the Melbourne side that won the 2007 and 2009 NRL grand finals (with the club later stripped of its premierships).
Johnson's 2007 form was rewarded by his selection in the Australian Kangaroos team for a Test against New Zealand in October and in the same season, he made a record-breaking 62 tackles in Queensland's victory over New South Wales in the second match of the Origin series.
Johnson played his 150th match for Melbourne during the 2008 season and was part of the Maroons’ fourth straight Origin series wins from 2006 to 2009 before heading overseas to link with the Catalan Dragons for the 2010 Super League season.
He then returned to the North Queensland Cowboys on a three-year deal, starting in 2011.
