Alex Johnson to play his first game in 2136 days

[bungwahl]

Hasn't played since the 2012 Grand Final. Horrible luck with knee injuries and subsequent infections.

An amazing story and hopefully the SCG is packed out for the standing ovation to welcome him back.

 

[ashep]

http://m.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2018-08-01/johnson-makes-afl-return

Just an incredible story. Good luck to the boy.

bungwahl beat me to it. Lock this up!

 

[Jeffers]

A Story of perseverance. What an effort to come back (Mentally and Physically) after having the following:

March 2013: 1st ACL reconstruction (traditional)

July 2013: Arthroscope

August 2013: 2nd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

March 2014: ACL rupture in a reserves practice match

March 2014: Arthroscope

September 2014: 3rd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

November 2014: Arthroscope

March 2015: Bone Graft

November 2015: 4th ACL reconstruction (LARS)

December 2015: Arthroscope

February 2016: Bone Graft/1st stage reconstruction

May 2016: 5th ACL reconstruction (traditional)


A

 

[00Stinger]

6 years and 5 knee recos since his last game.

heck me, talk about a brilliant comeback!

 

[Jeffers]

March 2013: 1st ACL reconstruction (traditional)

July 2013: Arthroscope

August 2013: 2nd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

March 2014: ACL rupture in a reserves practice match

March 2014: Arthroscope

September 2014: 3rd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

November 2014: Arthroscope

March 2015: Bone Graft

November 2015: 4th ACL reconstruction (LARS)

December 2015: Arthroscope

February 2016: Bone Graft/1st stage reconstruction

May 2016: 5th ACL reconstruction (traditional)


Incredible effort to come back both mentally and physically

 

[Bardo State]

Gee I didn't even know he was still around. He was very promising as a kid. What are the odds of him sticking around in the 22 for the rest of the year according to Sydney supporters that would know better than me?

I'm sure he'll get a massive reception. Big game to come back to as well, Collingwood have plenty of dangerous small and medium types.

 

[WWSD]

Great perseverance from Johnson after five knee reconstructions. For him to still keep at it after all these years later to try and get himself up for an AFL game is a real testimony to his character. Good luck to him in his return game and hopefully he plays well.

 

[Swansujelly]

I may not be able to breathe the whole game. So happy for him.

 

[schmuttt]

Best of luck to him, hope he does enough to get another contract.

 

[Farm Boy]

March 2013: 1st ACL reconstruction (traditional)

July 2013: Arthroscope

August 2013: 2nd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

March 2014: ACL rupture in a reserves practice match

March 2014: Arthroscope

September 2014: 3rd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

November 2014: Arthroscope

March 2015: Bone Graft

November 2015: 4th ACL reconstruction (LARS)

December 2015: Arthroscope

February 2016: Bone Graft/1st stage reconstruction

May 2016: 5th ACL reconstruction (traditional)


Incredible effort to come back both mentally and physically

Not a great advertisement for LARS.

 

[bungwahl]

Gee I didn't even know he was still around. He was very promising as a kid. What are the odds of him sticking around in the 22 for the rest of the year according to Sydney supporters that would know better than me?

I'm sure he'll get a massive reception. Big game to come back to as well, Collingwood have plenty of dangerous small and medium types.

He's got a chance to impress with Jones out of the side and McVeigh injured. Reserves form has been slowly building. Fingers crossed!

 

[robbieando]

Not a great advertisement for LARS.

It wasn’t an issue with the LARS the last two times but rather an infection in the knee that meant any type of reconstruction would of failed to graft to the knee

 

[tugga]

This is actually very awesome.
Rapt for him.

 

[legend166]

For what it's worth he's been one of the best in the reserves over the last month so definitely deserves the chance.

I thought he'd never get back so it's such a testament to him. He's still young enough to play another 100 games from here but even just getting 1 is a huge achievement.

 

[winty]

March 2013: 1st ACL reconstruction (traditional)

July 2013: Arthroscope

August 2013: 2nd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

March 2014: ACL rupture in a reserves practice match

March 2014: Arthroscope

September 2014: 3rd ACL reconstruction (LARS)

November 2014: Arthroscope

March 2015: Bone Graft

November 2015: 4th ACL reconstruction (LARS)

December 2015: Arthroscope

February 2016: Bone Graft/1st stage reconstruction

May 2016: 5th ACL reconstruction (traditional)


Incredible effort to come back both mentally and physically

Looking at that, the word perseverance in the dictionary should have Alex Johnson's photo next to it.

All the best to him.

 

[Superstar swan]

So pumped for this ..what a journey it has been for him

 

[Sainter3and7]

Bravo, champ. Good luck to you.

 

[Andre the Giant]

He was a super player that had the world at his feet before the knee issues.

I watched a NEAFL game the other day and he really looked quite slow. It was a wet ground so perhaps he was more cautious but he really laboured around the ground.

Not surprising with all the issues but has anyone seen him regularly? Is this a retirement game?

 

[Magnum27]

I'm pretty sure every supporter from every club will be happy for this young man, what an awesome story of perseverance and courage.

 

[J_Moore]

Is this a retirement game?

Considering we’re out of the 8 on percentage, I highly doubt it.

 

[Luv_our_club]

Credit to the Swans FC for standing by him.

I think most supporters are happy with a few places on their list being given to young men with horrible luck. Part of it is sentiment and loyalty. But also look at Ahern. It can pay off.

 

[beert]

12th longest time between VFL/AFL games of all time, and the longest time between games since 1944.

In recent years, the next longest is less than 4 years.

 

[Andre the Giant]

Considering we’re out of the 8 on percentage, I highly doubt it.

Fair enough, I love the guy and hope he has a decent crack at it this time.

 

[tonk]

If the mere presence of this guy doesn't inspire us do something, anything, I freakin give up.

 

[HolyWars]

Wow.

I had no idea he was still going. That's fantastic that he gets another shot after so many injuries. Fingers crossed he can stay fit and be a 150 game player (currently on 45).