Luckless Sydney defender Alex Johnson suffers another suspected torn ACL
LUCKLESS Sydney defender Alex Johnson has suffered yet another serious knee injury, with the Swans confirming they fear he has torn his ACL. He was told while lying on the MCG turf near the Swans’ bench. See the photo.
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LUCKLESS Sydney defender Alex Johnson has suffered yet another serious knee injury that will most likely end his career after just 47 games.
The Swans have confirmed they fear he has torn the ACL in his right knee, which would see him undergo his sixth knee reconstruction.
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Scans are expected to confirm the worst news.
Johnson, 26, suffered the injury late in the opening term of the clash against Melbourne at the MCG, his first game at the venue since the 2012 Grand Final.
He was told the heartbreaking news by the club doctor while lying on his back on the MCG turf near the Swans’ interchange bench.
“It doesn’t look great,” Johnson told Channel 7 after Sydney’s win over Melbourne. “I’m not too sure at this stage if it’s similar to my first one, but we’ll see how we go from here.”
Johnson was helped from the field after suffering the injury and sat on the bench with his head in his hands crying.
He was hugged by physios and spoke to his mum, Joan, who made her way over to the interchange bench.
But in a testament to his character, Johnson made his way to the quarter-time huddle to support his teammates.
“It’s a strange feeling for everyone,” Swans coach John Longmire said after the match.
“You have a great win and you come off the ground and Alex has got a suspected ACL on his good side.
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“Everyone’s digesting that, including Alex. It’s a strange feeling.
“It’s hard to know straight after the game what to say in situations like that.
“There’s not a handout you get, you just go with your gut.
“He’s a popular player. He’s showed a remarkable amount of resilience.
“I didn’t know exactly at the time. I thought it might’ve been his bad knee … but you had to get on with it.
“You’ve got to get on with it. We had a job to do at the time. Now (post-game) you feel for him.”
Sydney football boss Tom Harley said Johnson’s latest injury is extremely disappointing not only for him but for the whole football club.
“It is his knee he’s having trouble with, it looks like an ACL which is disappointing for everyone,” he said.
“He, more than anyone knows we have a job to do now.
“He is a much admired character. It’s disappointing for him but I am sure, hopefully the guys will get up.”
It is yet another cruel blow for Johnson who played his first game in six years last Saturday night against Collingwood and impressed.
He said in the aftermath of that game he was keen to make up for lost time.
Johnson has already had five knee reconstructions and a total of 12 surgeries on his knees after reoccurring knee infections.
He also underwent groin surgery this year.
The football world was quick to throw their support behind Johnson, including fellow knee victims Brodie Smith and former Hawk Alex Woodward who has torn his ACL four times.
Feel sick watching Alex Johnson being helped from the ground. Thinking of you mate 🤞 @sydneyswans
— Dyson Heppell (@DysonHeppell) August 12, 2018
Just feel sick for Alex Johnson. Hope it’s not what it looks like, so cruel if it is 😔
— Brodie smith (@Brodiesmith33) August 12, 2018
Part of you wants to hope Alex Johnson got some joy from coming back and showing he could play at AFL level before he did his ACL today. But that probably only make it worse for him. Just sickening
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 12, 2018
Alex Johnson at the worst possible moment doesn't stay on bench at 1/4 time. He goes to his teammates to encourage them. Enough said
— Neil Cordy (@neilcordy) August 12, 2018
Alex Johnson â¤ï¸ðŸ™ Got everything crossed for you mate.. praying for the best. Footy is so cruel sometimes.
— Alex Woodward (@AlexWoodwardd) August 12, 2018
ðŸ™ðŸ¼ Alex Johnson
— Adam Oxley (@oxy_4) August 12, 2018
Very very hard to watch Alex Johnson on the bench like that. Really feel for him #AFLDeesSwans
— Jason Gram (@gramsy_1) August 12, 2018
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Originally published as Luckless Sydney defender Alex Johnson suffers another suspected torn ACL
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