Giants’ Heath Shaw gives Sydney Swan Alex Johnson something to smile about in hour of need
FIERCE rivals GWS and Sydney agree on very little, but yesterday they were united in their sympathy for Alex Johnson, and leading support was none other than Heath Shaw.
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FIERCE rivals GWS and Sydney agree on very little, but yesterday they were united in their sympathy for Alex Johnson.
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That they were supportive of the brave Swan undergoing a sixth knee reconstruction yesterday in Melbourne went without saying, but it was Johnson’s discovery he would be sharing a hospital room with Giants’ antagonist Heath Shaw that promoted an outpouring of compassion.
“The Gods are against him,” tweeted GWS chairman Tony Shepherd and teammate Harry Himmelberg confirmed, “From what I know of Heath he’d be annoying Alex in the hospital I know that for sure.”
Shaw — as fidgety and niggly as they come — was booked in for an operation on his own knee with renowned surgeon Julian Feller, and virtually apologised to Johnson as he limped through the door.
“People thought things couldn’t get any worse for Alex Johnson having his 6th knee reco,” Shaw said. “ … Think again … he ends up with me as his roommate.”
The GWS veteran’s self-deprecating humour helped lighten the mood for what was almost certainly a daunting morning for the 26-year-old Swan as he contemplates his AFL future.
In the coming days Johnson must decide whether to retire or fight on for yet another gruelling comeback.
Since the devastating injury at the MCG suffered 10 days ago, Johnson has selflessly dedicated himself to supporting his teammates.
“I think Heath said (Alex) has drawn the short straw in a number of different ways,” said Swans coach, John Longmire.
People thought things couldn’t get any worse for Alex Johnson having his 6th knee reco, think again ....... he ends up with me as his roommate. pic.twitter.com/sUcuwKuevc
— Heath Shaw (@LordHeathShaw23) August 20, 2018
“It put a smile on Alex’s face which was great.
“We had him at the game on the weekend and it was great to see him have a smile at Heath’s expense before his sixth operation.”
Shaw’s elder brother Rhyce Shaw is one of Johnson’s closest confidants.
They were teammates together before Rhyce mentored Johnson in his role in charge of the Swans’ reserves side.
In a tribute to how much Rhyce Shaw’s support meant to him, Johnson switched to his old No. 2 jumper when the defender retired.
Rhyce Shaw’s shattered expression at the MCG two Sundays ago told the story of how the entire Sydney camp was feeling.
But since that harrowing afternoon, Johnson has shown clubmates that life goes on.
“It doesn’t surprise any of the players or the staff, because everyone knows what he’s like and everyone sees how he carries himself,” Longmire said.
“He’s got a choice how he handles himself and he chooses to carry himself in a really positive manner, and be among the players and help as much as he can.
“It’s not an easy choice, he has had to do it too many times, but he’s doing a really good job of it.”