AJ Watch

[grarmy]

Clears that up. I was losing sleep over his dynamic knee stabilisers.

[goswannies]

Clears that up. I was losing sleep over his dynamic knee stabilisers.

Mocking me? Cruel

[aguy]

Very good explanation goswannnies. I for one am grateful to have knowledgeable members contributing

[goswannies]

Very good explanation goswannnies. I for one am grateful to have knowledgeable members contributing

no probs & thanks. I just hope he gets back - or at least has the fewest problems a knee with his history can have ... for the rest of his life.

[aguy]

no probs & thanks. I just hope he gets back - or at least has the fewest problems a knee with his history can have ... for the rest of his life.

Likewise. I only ever see acls intraoperatively not during their lengthy rehab.

By all accounts AJ is a top bloke so I have my fingers crossed for him

[CureTheSane]

I wonder how strong the thought would now be to quit while he can walk.
Remember he hasn't been playing footy for years, but he hasn't been walking freely for that time as well.
Reasonably brave to get back out on the track and risk it all again.

[goswannies]

I wonder how strong the thought would now be to quit while he can walk.
Remember he hasn't been playing footy for years, but he hasn't been walking freely for that time as well.
Reasonably brave to get back out on the track and risk it all again.

You're retired a long time as they say. He obviously loves the game and the Swans (hasn't had a lot of the former, & might feel a little indebted to the latter, so that might also be a motivator). I met him on GF day and he was walking very briskly indeed. No noticeable limp, far as I can recall. He'll be able to walk for a while yet, I always worry when then they get to 50+ & have severely degerative knees. No fun at all.

[Crusty]

The Age today has AJ possibly playing NEAFL by Round 4:

The forgotten footballers set to make their comebacks in season 2017

"ALEX JOHNSON

It's difficult to write this bloke's name without getting emotional. Having undergone five knee reconstructions, Johnson hasn't played a game since the Swans' 2012 grand final win over Hawthorn, where he was arguably the best player on the ground to half-time. To put that in perspective, current premiership favourites GWS won two games in 2012. Johnson has been placed on the long-term injury list but the Swans are very happy with his rehabilitation. Should be available for selection in the NEAFL by round four. Absolutely in their best 22. "

If so, good news.

[chalbilto]

One on my favourite players. Can't wait for his return. Definitely in the best 22.

[crackedactor]

Would love to see him play even just one senior game. Agree! he probably was AFL GF 2012 Best on ground until half time.

[bloodspirit]

I can't wait even to see him in the NEAFL. If he does make it for round 4 (by no means assured, I wouldn't think) that will be the curtain raiser against the Giants at the SCG!!!

[YvonneH]

Every time I see a new post in this thread. my heart goes 'pitter patter', faster than is good for me,and after reading a positive comment it settles down again.

[CureTheSane]

I too am looking forward to a triumphant return, but am balancing that hope with knowledge that the game has been evolving without him, and that 4 years out of the game is not a great starting point to work your way into a GF runner up side

[bloodspirit]

I can't wait even to see him in the NEAFL. If he does make it for round 4 (by no means assured, I wouldn't think) that will be the curtain raiser against the Giants at the SCG!!!

Just in case you find yourself asking the same questions I did after I posted this:

Q: Was "round 4" AFL round 4 or NEAFL round 4? A: AFL Round 4
Q: So which would be his potential NEAFL first game? A: NEAFL round 4 (which is AFL round 5) v GWS @ SCG (because we have a bye in the NEAFL AFL round 4). This is great because it is a curtain raiser for the senior teams and you can watch both. I wonder if this played in to the Club's thinking in terms of the timing of when they added AJ to the LTIL? Maybe he really is on track to play NEAFL that day (Saturday 22 April - bookmark it)!

I hope that makes sense.

[S.S. Bleeder]

The Age today has AJ possibly playing NEAFL by Round 4:

The forgotten footballers set to make their comebacks in season 2017

"ALEX JOHNSON

It's difficult to write this bloke's name without getting emotional. Having undergone five knee reconstructions, Johnson hasn't played a game since the Swans' 2012 grand final win over Hawthorn, where he was arguably the best player on the ground to half-time. To put that in perspective, current premiership favourites GWS won two games in 2012. Johnson has been placed on the long-term injury list but the Swans are very happy with his rehabilitation. Should be available for selection in the NEAFL by round four. Absolutely in their best 22. "

If so, good news.

It's hard to imagine that his body would be up to the rigours of even a NEAFL game by then. He's been out of the game for four years. I wasn't expecting him to play NEAFL until mid-late season. I'm tipping a record NEAFL crowd on the day that he does run out there. Personally, I don't think I could watch it. Every twist and turn h makes that game would have me on tender hooks.