Alex Johnson is on the verge of AFLs most remarkable comeback after enduring five knee reconstructions in four years.
Swans head of football Tom Harley yesterday confirmed the versatile defender completed full training yesterday for the first time this year.
Johnson, whose last game was the 2012 grand final, is expected to be available for selection in 4 weeks.
“He has seen Menzel do this and they have shared their journey together so he can only take inspiration from that. They are very similar rehabs. He has got a road map to follow”.
This is the first time in a very long time that Johnson has managed to train without injury, and while its amazing to see him running, he still has a way to go.
“He has just done a full training session today and he has got his quad strength back and we are just looking at strengthening a lot of dormant muscles he hasn’t used for five years”, he said.
“He hasn’t got to this stage for a while so that’s a positive. He is itching to get back out there.
“The fact he is with the main group is a huge positive and he looks 4-6 weeks away and then he will return to play. We fully expect him to play.
“When we mapped out what his return to play might look like we talked about the end of May but now he’s back in full training we can be more specific.”
Johnson played every game in the premiership winning 2012 side, emerging as a star defender, before being struck down with an ACL injury during the 2013 pre-season.
He underwent a traditional knee reconstruction in April 2013, before undergoing a LARS knee reconstruction in July the same year.
He returned to the field for the Swans reserves in 2014, but tore the ligament in his first game back. He didn't return to the field until 2016, undergoing another 3 operations between 2014 and 2016 for various complications and infections.
Tom Harley said that Menzel's recovery from four knee reconstructions had inspired Johnson to persist.
“When I hear people say no one’s ever made it back from five knee reconstructions, I understand that’s a fact, but I guarantee a lot of people would have been saying that to Menzel as well,” said Johnson, who’s been inspired by the counsel and comeback of Menzel, a veteran of four recos,” he said.
“There is an element of stubbornness of me saying, ‘I’m going to prove wrong anyone who’s ever doubted me”.
Here's a nice snap of his knee
Like what you’re getting? Want more Swans Blog, and the chance to have your input into our site and what we create? We have additional content weekly on our Patreon Service. This is your avenue, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get more content like this.
If you'd like to support us, you can head over to our Red Bubble Swans Blog Shop, and purchase one of our hideously overpriced mugs, stickers or notebooks. Help keep The Swans Blog alive.
Since you're here...
... we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading The Swans Blog than ever, but we don't accept advertising, and don't want to do so in the future. Unlike many other news and media organisations, fan forums and fan media, we haven't put up a paywall, or displayed ads - we want to keep our content as open as possible.
The Swans Blog is an independent fan blog and community platform. Our content takes a lot of time and hard work to produce. We do it because we love what we do and we believe our perspective matters - because it may be your perspective too.
If everyone who reads our blog, who likes it, is supporting it, our future would be much more secure.
Want instant access to the latest blog and news content from The Swans Blog?
Download our Android App from Google Play today.