AFL 2022: Geelong great Steve Johnson loses coaching job at GWS Giants as Adam Kingsley era begins

The changes are already ringing at the Giants, with an AFL great the first to go as new coach Adam Kingsley begins putting together his off-field team.

Steve Johnson, pictured left with Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto, parted ways with the Giants this week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Giants have parted ways with assistant coach and Geelong’s triple premiership great Steve Johnson as incoming coach Adam Kingsley begins forming his staff.

Johnson, who played 293 games for the Cats and Greater Western Sydney, still had a year to run on his contract but was told this week he would not be part of Kingsley’s team.

The 39-year-old is expected to return to Melbourne with his family after serving as an assistant at the Giants the past two years and the previous three at Sydney.

Another GWS assistant, Amon Buchanan, could also be on the move.

Steve Johnson worked alongside James Hird at the Giants this year. Picture: Getty Images

Kingsley, who pipped Adem Yze to be Leon Cameron’s coaching successor on a three-year deal, is already in the process of putting a team around him.

Robbie Chancellor worked with Kingsley at St Kilda before coaching the Western Jets the past two years and will come on board as the Giants’ head of development.

But another Kingsley target, the highly regarded Brendon Lade, has chosen to remain in Victoria.

Mark McVeigh, who served as interim coach after Cameron’s mid-season departure, has spoken with Kingsley about returning to the club despite missing out on the senior coaching role.

Western Jets coach Robbie Chancellor is set to become the Giants’ new head of development. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking at last week’s announcement in Sydney of Kingsley’s appointment, GWS chief executive Dave Matthews said he hoped McVeigh would continue at the club.

“Our expectation is that there’s a long-term future here for Mark McVeigh,” Matthews said.

“He’s a person who’s been instrumental in developing the culture of this club. He’s got great values, the players love him and I could really see he and Adam working really well together.”

Kingsley will be able to focus on his new job now Richmond, where he was senior assistant under Damien Hardwick, is out of the finals.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Geelong great Steve Johnson loses coaching job at GWS Giants as Adam Kingsley era begins