Alex Johnson ACL injury: AFL players and fans send love towards luckless Sydney Swans defender

Angus Reid

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Alex Johnson ACL injury: AFL players and fans send love towards luckless Sydney Swans defender image

It's amazing how a devastating injury can bring a league together.

In Sunday's blockbuster clash between the Melbourne Demons and Sydney Swans, all thoughts couldn't have been further from the AFL action on the MCG turf as one luckless Swans defender went down with another injury setback.

Alex Johnson played his first game of top-level footy for the Sydney Swans in 2156 days when they beat the Collingwood Magpies in round 20.

In just his second game back against the Demons, AJ's right knee, which is considered his better knee, buckled under itself and it was later revealed that a suspected sixth ACL injury had taken place.

MORE: Melbourne Demons v Sydney Swans: Alex Johnson suffers suspected ACL in heartbreaking moment

You can watch the incident in the video player below.

"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," Sydney Swans football manager Tom Harley said.

He has endured five knee reconstructions, twelve knee operations, a seemingly-unshakeable knee infection and groin surgery in his career thus far.

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.

Although incredibly disappointed, rather than go into the sheds at quarter-time with the medical staff, AJ went into the huddle and supported his teammates.

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

Fellow players in the AFL, as well as senior journalists, sent their love towards Johnson as the news broke out.








 


 
















 

Angus Reid

Angus Reid Photo