Wayne Johnston

Nicknamed 'The Dominator', Johnston starred in Carlton's premiership teams of the 1970s and '80s.

Johnston made headlines after retiring from football by admitting an addiction to the pain-killing drug pethidine.

In early February 2008, he admitted to having been at a party at the home of Wayne Carey, another retired football great, which ended with Carey being subdued with capsicum spray by police.

A small amount of a white powder found at Carey's apartment.

Johnston and his wife, former Stingers actor Kate Kendall, had left the party before Carey's arrest.

Similar to Carey, Johnston was a friend of slain underworld stepbrothers Jason and Mark Moran.

On February 9, 2008, it was reported that Johnston had cut ties with the Richmond Football Club who had employed him as a runner as he had been allegedly linked to a drug investigation.

It was alleged that damaging images of Johnston were uncovered after detectives raided a suspected South Melbourne drug dealer late in 2007.

Officers seized a computer which, when checked, revealed images of Johnston.

The Herald Sun believes the images show Johnston, 50, and lines of a white powder

Johnston's lawyer, George Defteros, told the Herald Sun his client knew nothing of the alleged images.

"He is not aware of any alleged photographs. Nor has he been spoken to by any police," Mr Defteros said.

"If there are any allegations to be made against him then they should be put in the proper manner."

It is believed Johnston and the Tigers agreed to cut ties this week.

Mr Defteros denied the former Carlton champion and four-time premiership player had been sacked.

"He has left the Richmond Football Club on good terms, on his own accord, for business and personal reasons," he said.

Police refused to confirm Johnston's image had been found, only saying that a computer was seized and a man arrested when drug taskforce officers searched a South Melbourne address.

The suspected dealer is believed to be well-known to police.

A small amount of white powder was seized during the swoop on the York St house.

Charges have not been laid against the target of the South Melbourne raid.

Richmond officials last night confirmed Johnston had left the club after being a runner for the past two seasons.

"Wayne Johnson advised the club some time ago that he would not be returning as a runner for the 2008 season," a club statement said.

"Wayne was previously employed on a part-time basis for approximately three hours a week."

Johnston was a popular figure at Tigerland and enjoyed strong support from the players and coaching staff.