Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson has been helped off the field after suffering a suspected ACL injury in just the opening quarter of the Swans’ clash against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday arvo.
The 26-year-old had just returned to the field last week in Round 20 against Collingwood – his first senior game since the Grand Final in 2012. It had been Johnson’s first match in 2,136 days after successfully pulling through five knee constructions on his left knee.
Footage from the match shows Johnson chasing after Demons forward Jesse Hogan near the boundary line before he came down awkwardly. Despite initial attempts to stand up, Johnson remained on the ground in obvious pain.
The defender was quickly assisted off the field by two trainers where his reaction to the injury was just heartbreaking to watch.
This is simply heartbreaking. Alex Johnson can’t hide his emotion on the Sydney bench. #AFLDeesSwans pic.twitter.com/LgcYVqFDmg
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 12, 2018
You can watch the footage, below:
Alex Johnson has been assisted from the field after landing awkwardly during a chase on Jesse Hogan.#AFLDeesSwans pic.twitter.com/Nrtq3nQry1
— AFL (@AFL) August 12, 2018
Swans Head of Football Tom Harley told Seven he believes Johnson had injured his right knee – in other words, his good knee: “It’s the knee he hasn’t had any trouble with, at this stage it looks like an ACL which is disappointing obviously, for everyone.”
“He’s certainly a much-admired character so it’s disappointing for him.”
Despite his injury, the absolute legend refused treatment initially and was back up and supporting his teammates during quarter time, instead.
“It looks like an ACL.”
Tom Harley provided an update on Alex Johnson’s knee injury.#AFLDeesSwans pic.twitter.com/B8DvFOQQhr
— AFL (@AFL) August 12, 2018
The AFL community immediately took to their Twitters to send their best wishes to the Swans star including Essendon’s Dyson Heppell who wrote “Feel sick watching Alex Johnson being helped from the ground. Thinking of you mate.”
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
Alex Johnson… makes you feel ill. Devastating #AFLDeesSwans
— Alister Nicholson (@AlisterNicho) August 12, 2018
Alex Johnson. This game we love so much can also be so horrifically cruel. Hope and pray there’s good news from this.
— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA) 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
We are all thinking of you AJ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vfgmqQa3kN
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 12, 2018
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