Heartbreaking moment AFL player is helped from the field after injuring his knee for a SIXTH time

Alex Johnson was the feel-good story of the AFL last week, returning for his first match in 2,136 days following his 12th knee operation.

But as one of the game’s favourite cliches suggests, a week is a long time in football.

Johnson limped from the MCG in the arms of trainers during the first quarter of the Swans’ clash with Melbourne on Sunday – with a suspected torn ACL on his ‘good’ right knee.

A heartbreaking photo of the luckless Swan with shattered teammate Nic Newman epitomises what he means to the club.

This heartbreaking photo of injured Alex Johnson (left) with shattered teammate Nic Newman epitomises what the luckless Swan means to the club

Johnson limped from the MCG in the arms of trainers during the first quarter of the Swans' clash with Melbourne on Sunday

Johnson limped from the MCG in the arms of trainers during the first quarter of the Swans’ clash with Melbourne on Sunday

Newman couldn’t hold back tears as he embraced Johnson, whose 47-game career is likely over.

‘It doesn’t look great,’ Johnson told Channel Seven. ‘I’m not too sure at this stage if it’s similar to my first one, but we’ll see how we go from here.’

His knee buckled as he chased Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan in the back pocket during what was his second game since the 2012 Grand Final. 

The injury sent shockwaves through the AFL.

Sydney defender Nick Smith is pictured with Johnson after he went down in the first quarter

Sydney defender Nick Smith is pictured with Johnson after he went down in the first quarter

The injury sent shockwaves through the AFL, with several players taking to Twitter to support Johnson

The injury sent shockwaves through the AFL, with several players taking to Twitter to support Johnson

‘Feel sick watching Alex Johnson being helped from the ground. Thinking of you mate,’ Essendon star Dyson Heppell wrote on Twitter.

‘Thoughts go out to Alex Johnson and his close support group. Shattering to see and just not fair,’ Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe added.

Johnson was hugged by club doctors and teammates on the interchange bench, while his mother Joan made her way to the sideline to show her support.   

‘It’s a strange feeling for everyone,’ Swans coach John Longmire said after the match.

Jake Lloyd of the Swans consoles Alex Johnson of the Swans as he leaves the field injured

Jake Lloyd of the Swans consoles Alex Johnson of the Swans as he leaves the field injured

'Feel sick watching Alex Johnson being helped from the ground. Thinking of you mate,' Essendon star Dyson Heppell wrote

‘Feel sick watching Alex Johnson being helped from the ground. Thinking of you mate,’ Essendon star Dyson Heppell wrote

‘You have a great win and you come off the ground and Alex has got a suspected ACL on his good side.

‘Everyone’s digesting that, including Alex. It’s a strange feeling. It’s hard to know straight after the game what to say in situations like that. 

‘He’s a popular player. He’s showed a remarkable amount of resilience… the footy world knows that and none more than his teammates.’

Swans football manager Tom Harley said Johnson would spend time with his family in Melbourne and the club would give him time before considering his future. 

An injured Alex Johnson of the Swans is consoled by Aliir Aliir

Johnson of the Swans is consoles on the bench by Nic Newman

Johnson is embraced by Aliir Aliir after the match (left) and by Nic Newman during the first quarter (right)

‘It’s an obvious question, but it won’t happen really quickly He started the game really well in the first quarter, he was important for us,’ Harley told SEN Radio.

‘He needs to make a decision first and foremost as to how he’s going to attack it.

‘It’s clearly at least a 12-month rehab, he’s done that before and he’ll answer those questions himself and then at the right time he’ll sit down with the club.

The defender was visibly emotional following the fall and limped off the ground in the arms of trainers

The defender was visibly emotional following the fall and limped off the ground in the arms of trainers

His teammate Nick Smith (pictured, right) went to check on him before trainers reached him

His teammate Nick Smith (pictured, right) went to check on him before trainers reached him

‘If I know him at all, I reckon he’ll have a crack at it, but we just need to work our way through that respectfully and in the right time.’

Johnson has played just 47 AFL games since being picked by Sydney in the 2010 draft.

He was delisted at the end of the 2017 season, but the Swans used their final selection in the rookie draft to keep him on their books.   

Johnson has played just 47 AFL games since being picked by Sydney in the 2010 draft 

Johnson has played just 47 AFL games since being picked by Sydney in the 2010 draft 



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