Matthew Johnson

Matthew Johnson (born 16 March 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

AFL career

Johnson was drafted with the first selection of the second round, the 21st selection overall, in the 2021 AFL draft from Subiaco in the West Australian Football League, after being widely predicted to be a first round draft selection.

Johnson debuted for in Round 3 of the 2023 AFL season against cross town rivals . Johnson was the named substitute and came on during the third quarter for injured teammate Heath Chapman. Johnson finished the game with 6 disposals in his first ever win. He received a rising star nomination for his seven mark, nineteen disposal game against in round 23 of the 2023 season. He collected 20 disposals and kicked a goal the next week against at the MCG.

Johnson made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the at Optus Stadium. He finished the match with eleven disposals. He collected twenty-two disposals the next week against at Marvel Stadium. Johnson was an important contributor in round nine against Richmond at the MCG, kicking a goal and equaling his at the time career-best disposal record of 25, a record which coincidentally was set the season prior also against Richmond. He finished his third season at Fremantle having played a career-best 19 games.

Johnson collected a career-high 27 disposals in round one of the 2025 AFL season, against at GMHBA Stadium. He would equal this record six weeks later against at Optus Stadium during the Dockers annual Len Hall Tribute Game. In round 19, in 's one-point win over , Johnson injured his ankle which put him out for the rest of the season.

In May 2026, Johnson signed a four-year contract extension, keeping him at Fremantle until at least the end of 2030. In Round 20 of the 2026 AFL season, Johnson recorded a career-high 29 disposals and seven clearance in Western Derby 63. He placed equal-second in the Glendinning–Allan Medal voting with four votes, tied with Jye Amiss.

Statistics Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

75 !! 15 !! 25 !! 598 !! 655 !! 1253 !! 266 !! 226 !! 0.2 !! 0.3 !! 8.0 !! 8.7 !! 16.7 !! 3.5 !! 3.0 !! 0