Melbourne Demons v Sydney Swans: Alex Johnson suffers suspected sixth ACL injury, 'feels similar to first knee injury'

Angus Reid

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Melbourne Demons v Sydney Swans: Alex Johnson suffers suspected sixth ACL injury, 'feels similar to first knee injury' image

Sometimes, the game is just cruel.

Alex Johnson, the man who made his AFL comeback against all the odds in the Swans' nail-biting victory over Collingwood last week, has been carried from the field on Sunday afternoon with a suspected ACL injury.

With the Swans taking on Melbourne at the MCG in one of the tastiest clashes of the season, footy was the furthest things from everyone's mind when AJ went down.

Johnson was chasing Jesse Hogan to the boundary in the first quarter when the Demons' star forward quickly sidestepped away from AJ's grasp.

The Swans' favourite defender went off his feet and over the boundary line, as all onlookers had their hearts in their mouths.

Johnson stayed down and appeared to be distraught and in obvious pain as the medical team rushed to his aid.

Watch the heartbreaking incident in the video player below.

"It doesn't look great," Johnson said post-match.

"I'm not too sure at this stage, it's similar to my first one. But we have to wait."

It was Johnson's right knee that buckled, which is actually his better knee.

"Oh no," the Fox Footy commentary team said as soon as AJ went down.

"I'm worried about Alex Johnson. I don't know whether it was his ankle or his knee, but, knew straight away that he'd done some damage.

"He just clips the back heel of Hogan.

"He knew straight away. Football should not be allowed to be this cruel."

Johnson was seen on the bench with his head in his lap, obviously devastated.


Sydney Swans football manager Tom Harley then said the three letters that no one wanted to hear, 'ACL'.


"It's the knee he hasn't had any trouble with at this stage. It looks like an ACL (injury) which is disappointing obviously for everyone," Harley said.

Fans on Twitter were incredibly saddened to see the vision.
















AJ returned to the Swans last week 2136 days after featuring in his last senior game.

He endured five knee reconstructions, twelve knee operations, a seemingly-unshakeable knee infection and one bout of groin surgery.

His last top-level match before the Pies game was Sydney's grand final win over Hawthorn in 2012. 

That day, a 20-year-old Johnson starred with 15 touches, four marks and three tackles as Sydney won the flag.

Rather than go into the sheds at quarter-time, AJ went into the huddle and supported his teammates.

This is a testament to what the man is made of.

After his fellow Swans players took the field once more, AJ went back to the bench and looked sick before his mum came down to check on him.



 

Angus Reid

Angus Reid Photo