‘Size of a small footy’: AFL champion Brad Johnson reveals shock cancer diagnosis

The Western Bulldogs great revealed he had a tumour “the size of a small footy” that he only found while filming a TV segment.

Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson has revealed he had a tumour “the size of a small footy” removed during the 2025 season that he only found due to a game of bubble soccer.

The Bulldogs’ games record-holder said he is on the mend and now wants to “assist the positive approach” for others going through the same thing.

“I’m finding it more and more easy to talk about it now that I’m through. We’ve got to an endpoint, as such,” Johnson told The Howie Games.

“I know there’s still a little bit of work to do over the next couple of years, but ultimately, I’ve been through a process, let’s talk about it, let’s open it up so people can get some positive reinforcements themselves.

Brad Johnson has revealed his cancer diagnosis. Image: Getty

“If I can assist the positive approach to dealing with something like this, then great.”

The six-time All-Australian said he found the lump in his back after he played a game of bubble soccer for his TV commitments with Fox Footy.

“Afterwards, I wasn’t sore at all, but just noticed my lat muscle was sticking out a bit more than normal,” he said.

“I didn’t really think much of it; I’m like, I’m not sore, I was in an enclosed position with the bubble soccer, so I thought maybe something minor had happened, a bit of swelling from a knock, and I’ll be fine.

Brad Johnson (middle) has become a popular TV personality since retiring. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“So I let it go for a week and nothing was changing. Not sore at all, just pronounced.”

In the end, Johnson decided to visit the Bulldogs long-time club doctor Jake Landsberger, to get it checked out.

“Took off my shirt, had a look, he goes alright you’re going for an ultrasound straight away,” Johnson said.

“I remember the young lady who took the ultrasound, she left the room and brought the more senior doctor in and basically said to me there’s a good size lump in there. It’s about 11 or 12cm.”

Brad Johnson of Victoria celebrates during the 2019 EJ Whitten Legends Game between Victoria and the All Stars. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Johnson was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called liposarcoma. 

The cancer generally presents as a painless lump before swelling and causing pain as it develops.

The cancer, which starts in fat cells, has varying survival rates.

The Bulldogs legend received almost six weeks of radiation treatment before a lump “the size of a small footy” was removed.

“It grew quick, and thank God it exposed itself in that way, so I was able to get on top of it – a bit of luck, in some ways,” he said.