Steve Johnson to join Sydney Swans as an assistant coach

THE Sydney Swans have scored a major coup — snaring retiring star Steve Johnson from cross-town rival the GWS Giants to the club’s coaching panel.

Steve Johnson after his final game for the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

THE Sydney Swans have scored a major coup — snaring retiring star Steve Johnson from cross-town rivals GWS Giants as an assistant coach.

The Swans will announce the signing on Thursday.

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Johnson played the last game of his illustrious career last Saturday in GWS’s preliminary final loss to Richmond at the MCG.

The 34-year-old played in two of his three Geelong premierships with Tom Harley, who is now Sydney’s football manager and will become their CEO at the end of 2018 with the departure of Andrew Ireland.

Johnson is the first Giants player or coach to move directly to the Swans. Shane Mumford and Jed Lamb were snapped up by GWS when Lance Franklin chose the Swans over the Giants at the end of the 2013 season.

Steve Johnson and Lance Franklin will have to play nice now. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Johnson is widely regarded as being one of the best coaching prospects in the game, possessing an outstanding footy IQ.

In his two seasons playing for GWS, Johnson spent a large part of his time in a mentoring role for younger players, being instrumental in the development of Toby Greene and Jonathon Patton in particular.

There will be room in the Swans coaches’ box for Johnson after the departure of Henry Playfair to St Kilda. There could be another vacancy in the near future with Stuart Dew one of the favourites to take over from Rodney Eade at the Gold Coast Suns.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Laidler announced his retirement after 87 games over nine season for Geelong, Carlton and Sydney — where he played in last year’s grand final. He will stay on at the club as a development coach.

Originally published as Steve Johnson to join Sydney Swans as an assistant coach