Old Xaverians hopeful Alex Johnson will play shortened season

Old Xavs have already recruited a former Swan in Xavier Richards, and they have fingers crossed they’ll add another in the inspirational Johnson.

Sydney's Alex Johnson first kick during AFL match Sydney Swans v Collingwood at the SCG. It is Alex Johnson's first game since the 2012 Grand Final after having five knee reconstructions. Picture. Phil Hillyard

For Alex Johnson, it’s out with the VFL and in with the VAFA.

With the Northern Blues out of the abbreviated state league season, Johnson is training with Old Xaverians and the club has fingers crossed he’ll play.

The former Xavier College student joined the Blues last year as a playing development coach after a long stint at the Sydney Swans.

It took in the 2012 premiership. But along the way he suffered repeated knee injuries that restricted him to 47 games, spread over eight seasons.

He finished with the Swans at the end of 2018, having suffered an ACL injury two games into another comeback.

Johnston returned to the field last year, playing 10 matches for the Northern Blues, who were left on the outer when Carlton suddenly ended the clubs’ alignment in March.

“It’s hard to measure his importance to the group: I think his experience, determination and drive, his voice and leadership, it’s incredibly important,” Blues coach Josh Fraser said when Johnson committed for the 2020 season.

Alex Johnson played in Sydney’s 2012 premiership.

“I don’t know what price you put on that but when you’ve got such a young group: culturally, he’s been a great asset. I’m sure he’s looking to improve his footy even further in 2020.’’

Xavs president Matthew Cosgrave said this morning: “Alex is training with us and all things being equal we hope to see him play. It’s been great having him down. He’s a person of such good character.’’

Cosgrave highlighted that Xaverians had a string link with the Swannies through Johnson, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, and Ted and Xavier Richards, who has also returned to Xavs this year.

There has been an injection of top-drawer players into Premier ranks this year and Old Xavs hasn’t missed out on its share.

Hawthorn premiership utility Ryan Schoenmakers is its chief recruit, but Cosgrave is also enthused about former Sandringham defender Jack Noone. He believes the right-footer will be quick to establish a good name in the VAFA.

Ex-Zebra Jack Noone.

There’s also former Bendigo, Sandringham and Frankston defender Grant Valles, like Noone an “old boy’’, ex-St Kilda and Box Hill Hawks dasher Sam Crocker, and another former VFL Hawk in Julian Socco.

And with Collingwood not lining up in the VFL Xavs will have class act Campbell Lane available every week. Former Northern Blue Marcus Stavrou will also be a full-time Xav.

Some VAFA clubs will choose to top up their lists with players from leagues who have abandoned their seasons.

But Cosgrave is wary.

“We’re very conscious of the too-many-people-coming-in factor,’’ he said.

“I think we’ve got a great list as it is and a lot of the guys have put in a lot of hard work. We don’t want to go bringing in five or six players from anywhere because it has the potential to rock the boat.’’

The VAFA is keen to start its season on July 25 and Cosgrave said Premier would be “red-hot’’.

“I can assure you of one thing: it’s going to be a hell of a competition,’’ he said.

“It’s going to be on for young and old, red-hot for nine rounds.’’