Alex Johnson is closing in on a remarkable return from a sixth knee reconstruction

Premiership defender Alex Johnson tore his ACL for the sixth time less than 12 months ago. Now he is on the verge of making a stunning return to football and an AFL comeback may follow.

Alex Johnson could make his VFL debut early in the season. Picture: Getty Images

Premiership defender Alex Johnson is closing in on a remarkable return from a sixth knee reconstruction.

The former Sydney player has signed at Carlton’s VFL club and is on track to play in the first half of the season.

Johnson, 27, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in last year’s Round 20 win against Melbourne at the MCG.

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That was just Johnson’s second AFL match since the 2012 Grand Final win against Hawthorn.

Johnson missed 142 consecutive AFL games and was sadly delisted by Sydney at the end of 2018.

But the resilient leader has made a big impact off the field at the VFL Blues, helping mentor young players who have been hit by injuries.

The door is not closed on Johnson returning to the AFL, particularly given how far ahead of schedule he is this pre-season.

A return in the early VFL rounds is not impossible.

Alex Johnson injured his ACL against Melbourne in Round 21. Picture: AAP Images

“He’s an absolute ripper,” Northern Blues general manager Ben Brennan said.

“Around the group he’s setting standards, particularly around leadership. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him.

“He’s running around, he’s — I don’t have the (medical) word — but he’s zigzagging at training.

“It’s the knee he hasn’t done and never had an issue with before. We’d love to see him pretty early in the season.”

Swans kept Johnson on their list throughout his heartbreak and offered him a non-playing role at the club at the end of last season.

“Alex has been an incredible servant of our club and has shown unbelievable resilience and he’s a much-admired player among his teammates, coaches, staff and wider AFL community,” coach John Longmire said.

But the fire to play still burned for Johnson and Carlton list manager Michael Agresta — who came from the Swans — helped lure him to the VFL Blues, which are coached by Josh Fraser.

Northern Blues start their season in Geelong on April 14.