Despite a long road ahead to full recovery, Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson is remaining positive.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played a full game since rupturing his ACL in the first pre-season match of 2013.
Johnson has since faced a number of setbacks in his recovery after suffering a rare infection in his knee.
After three failed knee reconstructions, Johnson had a complete clean out in September last year and has been on antibiotics since as he looks to kill the infection for good.
He’ll remain on antibiotics for at least the next four weeks before undergoing a bone graft procedure to prepare his knee to have another reconstruction later in the year.
While he won’t be lining up in red and white this season, Johnson is remaining positive.
“It’s been really disappointing; it’s been really frustrating the last few years,” Johnson said.
“Nothing can really prepare you for an injury like this and the fact that it’s dragged on for, it will be three years next pre-season, has been really frustrating.
“Keeping a positive mindset is really important for me and I’m just looking forward to getting back and playing, whenever that is.
“That keeps me going, that’s a massive driving factor behind my rehab and my positive attitude and I’m just looking forward to that.”
Johnson has remained positive throughout his injury setbacks.
The 45-game defender has continued to spend countless hours in the gym and cardio room working hard to make sure his body is in the best shape for when he has his next operation and therefore have the best chance to recover quickly.
The good news is, all of the work Johnson has been doing, and the extremely conservative approach to his recovery, is paying off.
“They (the doctors) are really happy,” he said.
“The knee is probably the best it’s looked since day one, since I did my ACL the first time.
“There’s absolutely no fluid in it, it’s really good, it’s pretty strong and that type of thing.
“There’s no ACL in it yet but it’s all ready for the next steps hopefully.”
Johnson keeps up his touch work with teammates at training on Friday.
While it has been a tough run for Johnson, he’s fortunate he’s had great support around him to help him through.
“The whole club has been really good throughout this process,” he said.
“John (Longmire) has been really good, he knows what a knee reco can do to a player, as he’s been through a couple himself.
“Horse and my line coach John Blakey have been really good and really supportive throughout this whole process.
“All of the boys have been really good too in particular Rhyce Shaw.
“He’s always kept really positive and made sure I’m still in touch with the group and that type of thing.
“To have someone like that on my side is really important for me and keeps me involved and keeps my mindset positive as well.”
