Gareth John was born on 17 January 1972 and is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne in the Australian Football League.
11 Facts About Gareth John
1.
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The son of champion South Melbourne player and coach Graeme John, John originally played for Gisborne Football Club in the Bendigo Football League and was the leading ruckman for the Victorian and Victorian Country premiership teams in the 1988 and 1989 Teal Cup Carnivals.
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Gareth John started the 1990 AFL season in the Under 19s competition but due to an extensive injury list, made his senior debut in Round 10, against Essendon Football Club.
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Gareth John played seven games in his first year, finishing the season with the most hit-outs by a Sydney player and the equal most Brownlow votes.
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Gareth John started 1991 as Sydney's number one ruckman but injury would again end his season early.
6.
Gareth John was rushed by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital and given an emergency tracheotomy in order to save his life.
7.
However, during an interview with Bruce McAvaney later in the year, Gareth John announced he would continue to play for Sydney.
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Bruce McAvaney 8.
Gareth John opted to play on, in an effort to try to help his team win.
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Gareth John made another four appearances in 1993 but this time it was a lower back injury that ended his year.
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Gareth John was then picked up by North Melbourne with selection 63 in the 1993 AFL draft and suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the season which ultimately resulted in his retirement from the game at only 22yrs of age.
11.
Gareth John was featured on Channel 7's "Where Are They Now" TV show in 2009, where it was revealed his lobbying to make ruck play safer for younger players.