Steve Johnson to be given option of playing on in 2017

STEVE Johnson will be offered the chance to play on into a 16th AFL season after his remarkable new start with Greater Western Sydney.

Steve Johnson of the Giants gets a handpass away.

STEVE Johnson will be offered the chance to play on into a 16th AFL season after his remarkable new start with Greater Western Sydney.

Johnson’s management met with the Giants late this week, with all parties happy to let a decision wait until later in the year.

But after 21 goals playing every game, he will be given the choice about playing on in 2017 or moving into an assistant coaching career.

He has a two-year deal that has a fluid second season that involves assistant coaching or playing on given strong form.

Johnson will be strongly pursued by Victorian clubs as an assistant coach, with GWS willing to be flexible if he wants to retire and return to Melbourne.

The Geelong triple-premiership player has always possessed great belief in his own talents, but suddenly he has arrived at a club that is looming in the premiership window.

Johnson, 33 next Saturday, might be lured into playing for another year by the capacity to add a fourth premiership to a glittering resume that also includes a Norm Smith Medal.

GWS football manager Wayne Campbell said earlier this week Johnson had delivered in spades at the Giants.

“He has a two-year contract, whether it’s playing then playing again, or playing then coaching,’’ says Campbell.

“We haven’t even opened discussions. It’s way too early, but if he keeps going the way he is, it will make for an interesting discussion.”

Johnson said recently he could feel something “special” building at the Giants.

“I wouldn’t have played on if I didn’t think I would be capable of playing a decent role,’’ he said.

“I wasn’t coming up here for any other reason than playing good footy and I still felt I had a bit in me in.

“Physically I am in as good a shape as I have been, but it’s only early.

“I have got a real sense something special is building and it’s great I am able to play a small part in it.”

GWS will need to shed salary cap room given its shrinking list size and a star-studded array of talent but should have little problem on that front.

Carlton has been heavily linked to key tall Adam Tomlinson, and key defender Caleb Marchbank and midfielder Jack Steele has interest in Victoria.

Pacy half-forward Will Hoskin-Elliott is contracted until 2017 but given an explosive 26-goal season in 2016 also has Victorian admirers.

He strained a quad tendon in the NEAFL early this month and while his return is imminent he played only 11 AFL games last year.