Brad Johansen, coach of South Cairns Cutters, leaves Cairns after threats to his welfare

A string of bullying and intimidating threats that sparked an investigation have forced an AFL coach and his family to leave the Far North. Read what happened.

A VALUED AFL coach has been forced to depart Cairns with his family over ongoing bullying and intimidating threats to his wellbeing.

Brad Johansen and his family were settling into Cairns for the long term after shifting their lives from South Australia in early 2021. Mr Johansen was a member of South Cairns Cutters AFL club for two seasons, including one as coach in 2022.

Now, after a turbulent AFL season where consequences of on-field incidents reverberated through the FNQ community, Mr Johansen and his family have left with concern for their welfare.

Mr Johansen confirmed that he received multiple “distressing threats” to his welfare in the form of text messages and voicemails following an AFL game on June 4 that resulted in him receiving a four-match suspension for an unintentional on-field collision that left a Port Douglas AFL player with a severe injury.

There’s no suggestion the particular AFL player was behind the threats to Mr Johansen.

“I’ve never received threats of that nature before,” Mr Johansen said.

“If this didn’t happen we’d still be in Cairns.

“This was a lifestyle choice based on what’s best for my young family. I’ve got a little boy, and this is what is best for him growing up.”

Mr Johansen reported the matter to police “as a record of discussion” but chose not to pursue it further. He said he was “absolutely” supported by the South Cairns Cutters club during this period.

“If it wasn’t for the club, I would have left in June,” he said.

But Mr Johansen said he did not feel adequately supported by AFL Cairns.

“No direct contact was made to myself until six weeks after the incident and that was only done by an email, which was general in nature,” he said.

South Cairns Cutters coach Brad Johansen. Picture: Harry Murtough

South Cairns Cutters operations manager John Tootell said the club comprehensively supported Mr Johansen during this period and reported the issue to the relevant authorities.

“We put as much support behind Brad as we possibly could,” Mr Tootell said.

“We were in constant contact with him, checking in on his welfare.”

Cutters senior captain Cam Campbell said the club was supportive of Mr Johansen staying on as coach.

“Brad’s a great bloke and a good coach. Ideally he was sticking around for a couple of years,” Mr Campbell said.

“Unfortunately things unfolded the way they did. This had a huge effect on him, which had an effect on all of us at the club. The club has fully stood behind him.”

Cutters' Cameron Campbell with his teammates in a AFL Cairns men's preliminary final match. Picture: Brendan Radke

A spokesman for AFL Cairns said the AFL Integrity Department was notified as soon as the matter was brought to their attention.

“AFL Integrity conducted an investigation, the results of which have been shared with the clubs,” he said.

“AFL Cairns have no official comment on any matters referred to AFL Integrity.”

An AFL spokesperson said: “The AFL’s Integrity Unit was made aware of allegations … and provided advice that for incidents that occurred away from the field of play, such as threats directed at individuals, these should be reported to the police if individuals involved felt that to be an appropriate course of action.”

Mr Johansen said he was remorseful following the on-field incident on June 4.

“With everything that has gone on, I’m extremely grateful to see (the player) made a recovery and is back playing good football this season,” he said.

“We never like to see injuries on the football field.”

Originally published as Brad Johansen, coach of South Cairns Cutters, leaves Cairns after threats to his welfare