Vale - Rex Johns

[Booney]

Rex was a star full forward at Port Adelaide, playing 134 games between 1954-63, kicking 451 goals at 3.37 per game. Fos Williams named him at full forward in his 'Best Port Adelaide Team 1950-73'. Johns was a four time premiership player - 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1962.

Johns topped Port's goalkicking 6 times, and the SANFL's goalkicking 4 times. He played 5 state games for 17 goals.

Before my time as a spectator but as a kid spoke to the man plenty of times in the Grand Stand at Alberton.

Rex passed away 17/12/09 surrounded by family.

Vale Rex.

[Psyber]

A brilliant forward who could win the hard ball and take the hard mark and didn't need it dished up on a plate.
I'd say best full forward ever in the SANFL, and as much as I hated Port in that era I had to respect him.
He always knew where the goals were and I suspect could have threaded them blindfolded.
[ He wasn't a dirty player either, unlike some of his team mates.]

[Go Legs]

Rex Johns, now that brings back a memory or two for me.

The first game I attended at Alberton I was right behind the goals, he kicked on from a long way out,
being a Norwood supporter I lost interrest when it looked like being a goal and the ball landed right on
top of my head (No,didn't knock any sense into me) but it did hurt a lot.

Even though I had all my Norwood gear on, it was Rex that came straight to see if I was alright, and rubbed my
head and said sorry.

Now that was a true gentleman

Vale Rex Johns, always remembered in the best kind of way

[JK]

My folks have talked about his exploits numerous times over the years ... Dad being a Norwood man would tear his hair out, mum being a wharfy would smile and love re-telling those stories.

A significant contributor to our great competition .. Vale Rex.

[DOC]

Agree with above.

In this mornings papers death notices, the first one from his daughter speaks volumes about him.

[Dog_ger]

I used to drink with this great man & his brother some 25 years ago in the Shandon.

A true gentle, clumsey GIANT of a man, that would do anything for anyone.

Saddened by his passing away.

[mal]

Dogger
These guys are the full forwards after Rex played
Eric Fritz Freeman
Timmy Evans
Scotty Hodges

Tylor and Ditmarr went allright as well

Dogger who was the best of this lot ?

[Psyber]

Johns, Evans, Ditmarr, Tylor, Freeman, Hodges, would me my order of preference.
Hodges might nose in front of Freeman - I didn't see much of Freeman playing.

[pom pom]

You don't rate Hodges?
I'd have him infront of a few of them.

[Dog_ger]

Scott Hodges would have to rate amongst the "Best of All Time" full forwards in the SANFL for sure, in my oppinion.

Eric Freeman unfortunately played when Sturt was at their Best.

And who can never forget,

those fabulous battles between Balme and Evans, when poor Evans used to get smashed in the head by clumsy Balme.

[Psyber]

I saw a bit of Hodges, and I thought he was good in front of a winning midfield, but not that good at getting the difficult ones if delivery wasn't done well.
[A bit like Tony Modra.]

He was probably fortunate, I think, that in his time Port were strong and the ball generally was delivered well.
The first four could take "impossible" marks in packs or get the ball off the ground, even if the team was [occasionally] struggling.
I'll swear Rex Johns kept his own ball up his sleeve or somewhere - it would seem to be nowhere near him and he'd wheel out of the pack with it.
I thought Tylor was under-estimated at Port Adelaide for some reason.

[Dog_ger]

Could someone tell us who has kicked the most goals in a year at SANFL level?

160 comes to mind...?

But Dog_gers memory could be long away from that..?

[Bum Crack]

Could someone tell us who has kicked the most goals in a year at SANFL level?

160 comes to mind...?

But Dog_gers memory could be long away from that..?

153 - Hodges

[Psyber]

Could someone tell us who has kicked the most goals in a year at SANFL level?
160 comes to mind...?
But Dog_gers memory could be long away from that..?

The figure sounds close to right for Hodges best year - but that alone doesn't make him the greatest in my book.
As I said, he was fortunate to be in front of the right team in the right era, when the style suited leading forwards with good hands.

[Bum Crack]

Hodges is the best IMO

[Dog_ger]

How would you measure the greatest...?

How would you measure greatness...?

153 would have to get you some points Psyber...?

one would think, my friend....

[Macca19]

I saw a bit of Hodges, and I thought he was good in front of a winning midfield, but not that good at getting the difficult ones if delivery wasn't done well.
[A bit like Tony Modra.]

He was probably fortunate, I think, that in his time Port were strong and the ball generally was delivered well.
The first four could take "impossible" marks in packs or get the ball off the ground, even if the team was [occasionally] struggling.
I'll swear Rex Johns kept his own ball up his sleeve or somewhere - it would seem to be nowhere near him and he'd wheel out of the pack with it.
I thought Tylor was under-estimated at Port Adelaide for some reason.

Having watched probably 99% of Scottys career live, id say its the exact opposite to that. So many of his 1990 season goals came from his workrate when they ball hit the ground. His workrate when the ball hit the ground was second to none. Whilst he was predominantly a lead-mark forward like the majoirty in that era, he won a lot of frees due to his tackling and ferocity when the ball hit the ground.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Tim Evans was named full forward in Port Adelaide's Team of the Century, and how can a guy who kicked over 1,000 goals not be regarded as the best?

[Psyber]

Having watched probably 99% of Scottys career live, id say its the exact opposite to that. So many of his 1990 season goals came from his workrate when they ball hit the ground. His workrate when the ball hit the ground was second to none. Whilst he was predominantly a lead-mark forward like the majoirty in that era, he won a lot of frees due to his tackling and ferocity when the ball hit the ground.

I'm happy to agree to disagree...
Perhaps I didn't see enough of him before his time with the Crows.
Perhaps he was a stand out player at SANFL level, but not at AFL level.
Perhaps what we see is in the eye of the beholder..

I admit most of what I saw of him prior to the Crows was when Port played Norwood, and the other occasional match on TV.
But since that's how I assessed the others too, that's the order I'd have rated them as potential recruits to Norwood...

[pom pom]

Against Norwood i saw him kick 8.7 on Rocket Maynard.
Oh thats right he can't play!!!