[4] Having initially tried to play with Collingwood,[6] Johnson made his debut for Fitzroy in 1907 and finished the year as the club's joint best and fairest winner.

In 1916 he was appointed club captain and led the side to the premiership, defeating Carlton in the grand final.

Fitzroy had actually finished the home and away season in last position; but, because of the war, only four teams were competing, and all qualified for the semi-finals.

For the next two years Johnson lived in the United Kingdom, where he worked in a munitions factory,[7] before returning to Australia for one last season in 1919.

After retiring as a Fitzroy player,[8] he was appointed captain-coach of the Ballarat Imperial Football Club in 1924.