Graham Johncock Biography

Tyson Stengle will follow family tradition and inherit the No.18 Crows jumper that's been left vacant by his cousin Eddie Betts, who joined the Blues during the recent trade period.

Another of Betts' relatives, former defender Graham Johncock, wore the No.18 jumper for the Crows for 227 games between 2002 and 2013.

"Tyson Stengle (will be) jumping into the No.18," Betts told radio station FIVEaa.

"We want to keep the number in the family because Graham Johncock … is a Betts, I'm a Betts and Tyson Stengle is a Betts as well, so it's true family ties."

Graham Johncock announces his retirement after 227 games with the Crows, saying his body could no longer cope with the demands of playing AFL football.

Johncock it was not his intention to push for a farewell game with the club.

"I don't want to be gifted (a game)," Johncock said.

"I am a firm believer that every game you get has to be earned. And if I had earned mine, I would have wanted to perform. I'm not sure my body would have held up."

Graham Johncock has found himself being repeatedly ignored at the selection table but Crows captain Nathan Van Berlo says he is still very much a required player.

"He is an important player to the playing group. We know that. The club knows that. All the supporters know how important Graham is for us," Van Berlo said.

"It's a matter of him working with match committee and the coaches to show that he's ready to come back and the play the role they need of him."

Defender Graham Johncock says the club is more relaxed under new coach Brenton Sanderson.

"Sando is a little bit more laid-back around the club and Craigy was sort of the same when things were going well, he was up and about, but definitely when things weren't going well there was a lot of pressure around the club," Johncock said.

"We could feel it and see it on Craigy and it would come across to the boys as well. Sando's taken a lot of that pressure off … it feels like he's just one of the boys … it's good to have him around."

Adelaide defender Graham Johncock enjoyed his foray forward against the Lions after kicking two goals in the decisive last quarter to secure the win for his side.

"I didn't mind it because today I couldn't get near it for the first three quarters [Johncock had nine touches and two marks at three-quarter time and finished with 11 and four] so to change it up, I was looking forward to the challenge," Johncock said.

"It just worked out alright today, they put me up forward and I was lucky to get a couple of goals."

Graham Johncock has made a quicker than expected recovery from a hip injury and will play his 200th game this Friday night.

"[My 200th game] is something that I'll definitely cherish, running out with my babies (daughters Felicity and Nevaeh) on Friday night," Johncock said.

"It's something I'll sit back at the end of my career and be very proud of."

Adelaide defender Graham Johncock is presented with life membership at the club's season launch and says he appreciates the club having persisted with him through some difficult times.

"There were times in my career where I had some issues off-field...but the club has always been very helpful in helping me through those difficult times," he said.

"If it wasn't for the club actually putting the time and effort into me to put me on that right path...I guess any other club would have got rid of me straight away.

"I'm very grateful for that and the only way I can repay the club is trying to do what I do best and that's on the field. I've been around here a long time so I wouldn't want to go anywhere else now."

Adelaide defender Graham Johncock says he knows he is on his last chance with the Crows after being reprimanded by the club a few times in his career for several misdemeanours.

"There's only so much a club will take, so I'm definitely on my last chance," Johncock said.

"Not everybody gets an opportunity at the elite level and I've been here at the club a while now. I've had a few chances and I just want to make sure when I walk away from the game that I don't have any regrets."

While Graham Johncock was surprised by his club-imposed suspension, he believes it helped him return to career-best form.

"That was the decision the leadership group made and I couldn't do anything but respect it. All I had to do was go back to the Maggies and show the club that I still feel and have the desire to play footy," Johncock said.

"I went back there, played a really good game and put my name up for selection the following week. As far as I'm concerned I'm just moving forward with the Crows now."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has praised the decision to suspend three players in Graham Johncock, Bernie Vince and Matthew Jaensch for misbehaviour after the team rallied to beat Brisbane for just their second win this year.

"It'll be their choice now about the decisions they make, in terms of challenging the standards of our footy club irrespective of the results we're getting," he said.

"It's pretty clear what will happen at our footy club if you challenge them. Now, it's back to them for a response."

Adelaide has revealed the reasons behind the suspensions of Bernie Vince, Matthew Jaensch and Graham Johncock.

Vince and Jaensch are said to have stayed out "beyond a reasonable time" following the Crows' loss to North Melbourne in Melbourne.

Johncock has been penalized for failing to attend a recovery session while recuperating from a shoulder injury.

"It would've been very easy for the leadership group to know that information and to sweep it under the carpet," Crows assistant coach David Noble said.

"At 1-7 we thought it was a very courageous and honest decision from the leadership group to come to us and say, 'these standards aren't what we're about'."

Bernie Vince, Matthew Jaensch and Graham Johncock have been handed a club suspension by the Crows senior leadership group for failing to meet "training and preparation standards".

Adelaide has lost defender Graham Johncock to a broken thumb ahead of its season opener against Fremantle.

Graham Johncock says he is likely to finish his career at Adelaide after signing a new two-year deal.

"I'm happy to be around the club. They've helped me out in a lot of areas, not just on the field but off the field as well," Johncock said.

"I've showed my faith in the club and they've showed their faith in me by giving me another two years. I'm really looking forward to that."

Small defender Graham Johncock signs on for two more years at Adelaide.

Crow Graham Johncock has his teammates to thank for reaching his 150th AFL match.

In 2008, Johncock was sent back to the SANFL by the club's leadership group after failing to meet their standards of preparation to play AFL.

Johncock spent two weeks with the Port Adelaide Magpies and used this time to address pressing lifestyle issues that were affecting both his football and general well-being.

"It was pretty tough at the time. I realised there was a problem myself, but didn't know how to tell anyone about it," Johncock said.

"It's definitely changed the way I feel about footy and life in general.

"I feel you need to have these sorts of ups and downs in life. It can't always be smooth sailing and it gave me a bit of a wake-up call. I'm really enjoying my footy this year, and I don't often say it, but I actually enjoyed pre-season for once.

"I definitely feel happier and more energetic around the club than I did last year. The boys and the coaches have actually commented on it, which is good for them and good for me.

"It really hit home when the players could actually see it on me in the way I was playing, presenting at the club and training. That's when I knew I had to change a few things in my life."

Adelaide could be boosted by the return of experienced pair Graham Johncock and Scott Thompson for Friday night's clash with St Kilda.

Graham Johncock will miss the Crows' opening game of the season following the death of his mother.