Collingwood midfielder Ben Johnson has avoided a criminal conviction for assaulting a man outside a Melbourne nightclub.

The AFL footballer admitted responsibility for his role in the incident outside the club at Station Pier, Port Melbourne, on July 30.

Johnson, 25, was charged with recklessly causing injury and assault but was not required to formally plead guilty in Melbourne Magistrates' Court after being assessed as suitable for a diversion program.

Johnson must pay $3,000 to the Headway charity, which supports brain injury sufferers.

He must also continue his charity work through the Transport Accident Commission at Epworth hospital's brain injury unit for 100 visits within 18 months.

Johnson's lawyer Tony Burns told the court his client had been visiting the unit twice a week for 15 months.

"He takes his obligations as a role model very seriously," Mr Burns said.

He said Johnson had been helping one particular patient, who is not a Collingwood fan, promising him he would walk with him to the centre of the Melbourne Cricket Ground to toss a coin at the start of a match once the patient could walk again.

Magistrate Felicity Broughton told Johnson she would order his community work be part of his existing commitment to the hospital.

"That's great," he replied.

Mr Burns said Johnson had reached a "significant" financial settlement with his victim, who did not want the figure publicised.

The court was not told the nature of the injury suffered by the victim.

Ms Broughton said she would not consider the figure unless it was made public, but said she accepted the complainant's needs had been satisfied.

Johnson is also required to write a letter of apology.

He and former teammate Chris Tarrant were fined $5,000 each by the Magpies for breaking team rules.

Tarrant, now with Fremantle, was never charged.

Outside court, Collingwood's chief operating officer Eugene Arocca said the club was relieved the matter was over.

"We think that his community efforts over the last 15 months have been taken into account and from his point of view he's relieved that it's finished and he's looking forward to 2007," Mr Arocca said.

Johnson, 25, played all 23 games for Collingwood this season, to take his career total to 136.

He won the Anzac Medal as best afield in the club's round-four clash with Essendon at the MCG.

He was equal second in Collingwood's best and fairest count, along with defender James Clement, behind winner Alan Didak.