[1] He made his debut against Richmond in Round 4 of 2005 when Matthew Carr was a late withdrawal from the team due to illness.

[3] In 2006, Michael finished equal runner-up (with Peter Bell) in Fremantle's Doig Medal Best & Fairest count, further underlining his credentials as a prospect for the future.

[9][10] He was charged on summons with possessing cocaine, suspended for five matches and fined $5,000 for bringing the AFL into disrepute.

[10][11][12] In November 2016, Police investigated Johnson after it was alleged that he punched a Bunbury School teacher in the face while intoxicated at a kebab shop in Leederville.

[17] In February 2019, he was appointed as Fremantle's inaugural indigenous and multicultural liaison officer.