Former Sydney defender Alex Johnson urges close mate Adam Tomlinson to savour grand final experience
Alex Johnson learned the hard way to savour every AFL experience. That’s the advice he’s given great mate Adam Tomlinson as he prepares to play what will likely be his last game for GWS.
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Adam Tomlinson understands Saturday’s grand final could also be his last game as a Giant.
But with a best mate who has suffered more heartache than most in football, GWS original Tomlinson is focused on simply savouring and celebrating every second.
Alex Johnson’s brilliant AFL career at the Sydney Swans was tragically cut short by an unprecedented six knee reconstructions.
His was one of the most cursed careers of the modern era — with the exception of course being his place in the Swans 2012 premiership.
Tomlinson and Johnson grew up playing together in Melbourne and a conversation shared in the wake of last week’s preliminary final has helped put everything into perspective for the player considered the heart and soul of the Giants.
On the eve of the first final against the Western Bulldogs, Tomlinson was brutally axed for Brett Deledio despite having played 70 consecutive matches for the Giants.
And it seems highly likely Tomlinson will be forced out of the club due to salary cap pressure, with the Melbourne Demons understood to be his most likely suitors.
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Tomlinson hasn’t given up hope on remaining on in Giants colours next season, but he takes with him to the MCG this Saturday an acute understanding of what Grand Finals mean, especially when you never know what’s around the corner.
“I was on the phone to one of my best mates in Alex Johnson who played in the 2012 grand final which he won for Sydney,” Tomlinson said.
“I had a big chat to Alex the other night and he just said enjoy every moment of the week because it’s something you’ll never experience again and that’s what I’m looking forward to this whole week,” said Tomlinson.
“Absorbing it all and enjoying it because it’s one of those things you dream of and you never think it’ll actually happen. When the final siren went on the weekend I cried, I screamed, everything. It’s just one of those things you can’t describe.
“Alex, he’s been through the ups and the downs and winning that 2012 premiership is his greatest memory. It’s great to have his support and his words because not many people get to go through to a grand final.
“I’d love to (stay at GWS). It’s just one of those things. You can only fit so many people into one room. I’ve tried my hardest to stay and fingers crossed that happens because it’s a wonderful place to be and absolutely love the footy club.”
Johnson was shocked like most when the Giants axed one of their most consistent performers for the first final in a bid to bring back veteran Deledio from injury.
It was a testament to Tomlinson that he was the first on the field to chair Deledio off the ground when he again did his calf.
Although Tomlinson came straight back into the team, his future beyond Saturday remains unclear, and Johnson was quick to offer some poignant advice about football and life.
“Regardless what happens you can’t those moments for granted. You have to enjoy them. It has the potential to be the best moment of his life,” Johnson said.
“Everything that transpired for me after that 2012 season wasn’t the direction I would have liked to go in, but I hold those memories and premiership dear.
“As time goes on you cherish it more and more and I learnt the hard way you can’t take things for granted.
“I haven’t chatted to him much (about trade speculation) but I said, who cares what happens after this. You have got the greatest opportunity ever to be immortalised as one of the 22 players who won the first ever premiership for the Giants. Live in that moment.”
Originally published as Former Sydney defender Alex Johnson urges close mate Adam Tomlinson to savour grand final experience
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