Johansen brothers win flag with CBC Od Collegians for their grandfather

A promise made to his grandfather was behind a rising SANFL star’s decision to quit mid-season and line up in the Adelaide Footy League. Now he’s part of history at CBC Old Collegians.

Luke Johansen with grandfather Raymond Semmler together with Luke’s two brothers Jake Johansen and Brad Johansen. The Johansen brothers featured with CBC Old Collegians and helped the Dolphins win the grand final. Jake quit SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens mid-season to line-up with CBC after he promised Semmler he would play footy with his brothers. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens)

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Family is everything for Jake Johansen.

That is why the 23-year-old goalsneak quit his SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens mid-season to join his two brothers, Brad, 28, and Luke, 21, at Adelaide Footy League club CBC Old Collegians.

Jake made a promise to the boys’ 94-year-old grandfather, Raymond, that the trio would feature in the same team together one day.

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(L-R) Brothers Brad and Luke Johansen with their grandfather Raymond Semmler and Jake Johansen. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

And with his grandfather getting no younger, Jake desperately wanted to fulfil that promise.

Fast-forward to now and Semmler got to watch the trio play alongside each other for the first time and he also saw the boys win the division four premiership with the Dolphins this month.

“It was a pretty special moment,” Jake, also a former Glenelg and Port Adelaide player, says.

“I always promised my grandfather that he’d be able to watch us all play footy together.

“With grandpa turning 95 this year in November I just thought it was the right moment to go out and have a kick with them and get around my family a bit more.

“We’ve always been a close family.

“Originally Dad was questioning why I left the SANFL and he thought I was throwing it in.

Luke Johansen playing for CBC Old Collegians during the Adelaide Footy League division four grand final this month. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

“But then when we sat down as a family and I walked them through why I was doing it, Dad accepted it as he knows how close I am to my grandpa and how much he means to me.

“Having the opportunity to play with two out of my three brothers and also win a flag is special.”

The Dolphins’ 14.15 (99) to 11.7 (73) win against Edwardstown at St Mary’s was their second consecutive flag victory after triumphing over Woodville South in division five last year.

Brad says winning a flag with Luke and Jake is a memory he will never forget.

“It was really special and I really enjoyed the opportunity to play with both of them.

“All stars aligned for us.

Jake Johansen playing with CBC Old Collegians this season. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

“When the siren went, I just put my hand in the air and I turned around and Luke was about 30m away and he just ran straight at me.

“We embraced and Jake was down the other end but when he saw us he sprinted towards us and that was pretty cool.

“Grandpa hasn’t been well so it was good we could do this for him.”

Jake, who had played 48 league games for Woodville-West Torrens since joining the club in 2017, said he was “likely” to rejoin the Eagles next year.