Steve Johnson to miss clash against Essendon as he continues to battle foot soreness

GWS star Steve Johnson will be rested against $19 outsiders Essendon this Sunday, as GWS starts thinking strategically about finals football.

GWS star Steve Johnson will be rested against $19 outsiders Essendon this Sunday, as GWS starts thinking strategically about finals football.

Johnson has been battling soreness in his foot for several weeks and coach Leon Cameron has elected to give his veteran forward a much needed mid-season break, ruling him out for 1-2 matches.

After smashing Sydney in the derby, GWS are now almost certain to quality for their first ever finals campaign.

Three-time premiership winner Johnson will be their No. 1 go-to man once the whips are cracking and it would be a disaster if the 32-year-old was burnt out before September.

Against the Swans, it was Johnson who inspired the Giants to lift in the big moments.

Cameron admits he regrets not resting Johnson earlier in the season, but it’s obvious why he didn’t: Giants have just come through back-to-back matches against the Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney — their most taxing stretch of the year.

This week though, GWS start incredible $1.01 favourites against a ravaged Essendon.

The Giants will be eager to avoid a lag in intensity against the Bombers, but common sense says it’s an ideal time to give one of their most important players a spell.

Hawthorn did the same when they came up against the last-placed Bombers last week, resting midfielder Sam Mitchell.

Steve Johnson has been battling foot soreness in recent weeks.

Back in 2012 when the Giants entered the competition, it would have been the Bombers who stated $1.01 favourites — but the tide has turned.

Essendon appears destined to record their lowest home crowd in more than two decades on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, with the 1997 low mark of 23,705 under serious threat.

Cameron said Johnson would benefit from a freshen-up.

“He’s just been getting up lately,” Cameron said.

“He was terrific (against Sydney) in such a big game but he’s an old warrior, he’s a competitive man.

“We probably should have rested him a few weeks ago.

“I was disappointed I didn’t make that decision.

“He was sore at the end of the game.”