From the Tiwi Islands, Edmund Johnson was a foundation player with the St Mary’s Football Club when the club entered the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) competition in 1952/53.

A brilliant high-flying defender, Johnson is rated the best of the Tiwi Islands' footballers of his generation by veteran St Mary’s and NTFL club officials. 

Johnson played in 11 grand finals for six premierships, including the club's first in 1954/55. He played in his sixth in 1966/67 and retired after his last grand final in 1968/69, a playing journey of 16 years.

An NTFL representative player and best on the ground in 1960 against Alice Springs, he also twice played against North Adelaide in 1966. Excited North Adelaide officials enquired about recruiting Johnson after he twice thrashed Roosters' centre half-forward legend Don Lindner, only to discover the champion was already aged in his mid-thirties.

With a career overlapping Hall of Fame and Tiwi Legend David Kantilla, many good judges rated Johnson the equal of all Tiwi players produced from the islands. 

The brilliance of Johnson in the NTFL is continued through the performances of multi premiership-winning grandsons from the Munkara and Tipungwuti families at St Mary’s and Darwin Buffaloes clubs.

The annual Tiwi Islands Football League Best Backman Award recognises Johnson, who was awarded St Mary’s Life Membership in 1961 and AFLNT Player Life Membership in 1986.