Retiring Steve Johnson has found himself somewhat in demand, fielding offers from the AFL and A-League for coaching positions once his playing career comes to an end.
Having announced his retirement last Thursday, the former Geelong premiership star has been linked to a number of clubs, with the Swans the front-runners.
Discussing the matter on Melbourne's Triple M on Saturday afternoon, Damien Barrett said that the Swans are leading the race to sign him on in a coaching role for next season, even though the Giants are keen to retain him.
The AFL.com.au site first published the link between the Giant and the Swans, with coaching mentor David Parkin confident that the enigmatic forward can make an immediate impact wherever he coaches.
"I've spent enough time with him now to know that's a commitment he made two or three years ago when playing football was still his major focus," Parkin told AFL.com.au.
"He got his head into that space and was doing something about it.
"I've had a bit to do with him, because he came and did the Level Two coaching course and we started to share a bit of coaching information.
"We've shared a number of conversations and a number of articles and books and things that he's been fascinated to follow up."
His manager Craig Kelly confirmed the rumours that up to three clubs were enquiring about his services in 2018.
"He was definitely wanted by three clubs and he is committed to wanting to go down that path," Johnson's manager Craig Kelly told AFL.com.au earlier this season.
Should the premiership star find his way to the Swans in a coaching role, I have absolutely no doubt it'll be of great benefit, given his knowledge of forward line play, and football in general is almost second to none.
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