Universal Love Alex Johnson

[CheapCharlie]

I know what you mean - although I think you're deliberately underplaying it - but it's a big deal for him. It's his career after all.

Obviously we give a shit because he's a player at our club so we have an emotional investment but imagine how difficult emotionally the last 5 years for him have been. Now he's been looked after financially of course, so it's not like he was straggling around trying to pay his bills, but when you consider the frustration he must have felt at times over and over for 5 years, I think you can understand why people are preparing for an emotional moment.

I'm not underplaying anything, yet neither am i going to place myself on a confected bandwagon of teary emotional support either.

Yeah, of course its a big deal for him, and for the club its a 'big deal' based on his continual failed operations and re-occurrences.

It's a good story, and one, should he play AFL again the Footy Shows will be highlighting.

But, based on your reasoning, every player who doesn't make AFL, and gets close , has an emotionally difficult story.

The guy was a player with huge potential, and i'd be hoping, like others he recaptures that.

I'd give him a cheer, as it would be a remarkable story of perseverance and belief in himself on his part, and faith shown in him from Sydney, but i couldn't find it in myself to shed a tear... a tear for what??

He has a long way to go... He has my support but i wont need a hanky

 

[CheapCharlie]

Yeah there's more important things in life but to quote the immortal Titus O'Reily:

Footy is a passion, not some cold hearted, spreadsheet dominated rational exercise.

Why follow footy if you're not emotionally invested in it and the players who generate that passion? Coming back from five knee recos after being off the paddock for nearly five seasons is one hell of a feelgood story. I'm not literally shedding tears over it but I'm pretty bloody happy for the bloke because he would've been through some pretty trying times.

That I choose to spend my footy 'emotional quotient' differently than you, doesn't make me any less or more a supporter than yourself.
And for some guys, footy is a rational exercise, or a stat sheet dominated enterprise....so your definition of footy (supporting) is just one of hundreds.
There are hundreds of different types of supporters who choose to invest their emotional and time and passion into the game in whatever way they decide.

I do agree with you that it is a feelgood story...Much like the feel good story of Oliver Florent and his father dying and him being picked up first round in the draft..
I thought that was a remarkable achievement also, but i never considered shedding a tear for him. I thought what remarkable strength of character for such a young bloke

 

[S120]

Edwards back to the rookie list, with Melican taking the place of Cameron. Means that AJ could indeed play soon provided he is brought off the LTI list.

 

[Mick Oxlong]

Edwards back to the rookie list, with Melican taking the place of Cameron. Means that AJ could indeed play soon provided he is brought off the LTI list.

Not seniors dude!

 

[S120]

Not seniors dude!

Typo, my bad.

 

[The Gong]

That I choose to spend my footy 'emotional quotient' differently than you, doesn't make me any less or more a supporter than yourself.
And for some guys, footy is a rational exercise, or a stat sheet dominated enterprise....so your definition of footy (supporting) is just one of hundreds.
There are hundreds of different types of supporters who choose to invest their emotional and time and passion into the game in whatever way they decide.

I do agree with you that it is a feelgood story...Much like the feel good story of Oliver Florent and his father dying and him being picked up first round in the draft..
I thought that was a remarkable achievement also, but i never considered shedding a tear for him. I thought what remarkable strength of character for such a young bloke

Good luck to you in supporting footy any way you see fit. Makes no difference to me.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

I might fly up to Sydney if he gets named for the reserves next week.

He still has a long way to go before he plays AFL again though, best hope is he plays a few games in the reserves this year and has a full preseason. #norush

Ditto. Pumped for him tho.

 

[bungee]

This is more than a feelgood story, it's a Swans story which will forever be part of the Bloods legend. Alex was already special when, as a skinny 20 year old, he gave his all in the 2012 GF. Since that first injury his loyalty to the club and desire to play for us again has driven him, inspired his teammates and all those around the club. Who knows how much his passion and tenacity has infected the club and strengthened the spirit of those around him who have themselves faced adversity. I can imagine those players struggling to get back to fitness and having to overcome multiple setbacks would draw huge inspiration from him. When the club faced its injury wracked start to the season where some could easily have given up hope I imagine AJ's example of the Blood's spirit would have been a huge source of strength. There's a good reason he was named best clubman last year without even playing a game. He personifies the Bloods. Our Swans will never give up and I for one will be cheering even as I'm choking up.

 

[BarneyBent]

I might be able to make the game. I live in Canberra, so I should, but it's an extremely inconvenient weekend. If I do get there, I will provide updates.

 

[Jabba73]

Good luck tomorrow Alex, you deserve some.

 

[Superstar swan]

Cant wait to read the updates tomorrow, il be sure to check the replay out

 

[Dangas]

good to see him run out again

 

[anotherletdown]

Is it just me or did he look a bit chunky in that vision? And a bit of a weird running style. Hope he can fully resume his career, one of my favourites.

After all those reconstructions the pace will be slightly diminished, I not sure he'll have the wheels for back flank. He may have to think about KPD..... and that makes for a fine balancing act between weight/strength and knee integrity. Hope he'll be ok

 

[Tedeski]

How exciting is today going to be for our club?

Good luck AJ!

 

[Kirkswan]

I can't believe they haven't organised a stream for us... they must have known how big it would be to all Swannie supporters everywhere!

 

[Voice of the G]

Highlight of the footy season,lets not judge him on his performance in the game but on how he gets through the game.You would think he most likely would spend a fair bit of the game on the sidelines.

 

[Kirkswan]

Highlight of the footy season,lets not judge him on his performance in the game but on how he gets through the game.You would think he most likely would spend a fair bit of the game on the sidelines.

Yeah, expected to play about 40 mins

EDIT: Source: http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2017-06-30/neafl-all-eyes-on-aj

 

[Mick Oxlong]

So nervous and excited for the kid. Hope he gets through the match unscathed and with a big grin on his face!

 

[SwansProudly]

Twitter photos and comments from https://twitter.com/DesignedToFade
"Buddy said they had only one hour's sleep"

 

[The King!]

Buddy never played a game with AJ

Says a lot about both guys that bud is there the day after a night game in melbourne

 

[Voice of the G]

Buddy and AJ would have played against each other in the 2012 grand final though and most likely near each other all day.

 

[Punts]

Tippett there ?

 

[kickthething]

Tippett there ?

I bloody hope so....

 

[kickthething]

The way the group has gathered for this day is something that speaks absolute volumes for them. I wish it was tonight already so I knew how the day went. Keep us posted with how the day goes guys....no stream is disappointing.

 

[Maddo11]

So no stream then?