Stevie J pins hopes on fairytale
STEVE Johnson has vowed to give his all in pursuit of a fourth flag before retiring at the end of the season. The former Geelong star, a three-time premiership winner with the Cats before joining the GWS Giants, announced his retirement yesterday. “I’d love to finish on a fairytale but it doesn’t always happen,” Johnson, left, said. “I’ll be leaving the game with nothing left in the tank.”
STEVE Johnson was never going to die wondering about what he had left to give.
When Geelong let him go after his 14th season Johnson knew there was petrol in the tank and perhaps another premiership to add to the three he had chalked up as a Cat.
His announcement brought little if any surprise; he has been running on the smell of the proverbial oily rag all year.
His media conference yesterday was about focusing on winning a fourth flag.
“I’d love to finish on a fairytale but it doesn’t always happen,” he said.
“I’ll be leaving the game with nothing left in the tank. What I will do is train and play as hard as I can over the next six weeks and hopefully the body holds up. Certainly I’ll be going to the well as many times as I can to give myself a chance to prepare myself.”
The 34-year-old has struggled with injury this year, sitting out five of the Giants’ 19 games.
He’s comfortable with his decision to play on and is certain he has given all he can in his 253 games at Geelong and 36 as a Giant.
His 510 goals have included many of the most spectacular and skilful in history, but it is not the mercurial ones he remembers most.
“The goals I reflect more fondly on are the ones you kick in big games,” Johnson said.
“I’ve been fortunate enough over my career to play in some big games and played at a successful club where I got the opportunity to play in grand finals. Those memories are unbelievable and I would love nothing more than to finish off with a couple of goals in a grand final this year. But there’s a lot more to go before that happens.”
He will fall short of the 300game mark with tonight’s preliminary final rematch against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium his 290th. If he plays the last three games of the season and the maximum possible four finals he will still be four games short.
“When I finished at Geelong in 2015 I felt like I had a little bit more to give in a playing capacity and I think that decision has been justified by the footy I’ve played. I knew it was going to be tough but I think I’ve played some good footy,” he said.
GWS coach Leon Cameron is also glad Johnson put himself through the wringer for the past two seasons.
“Off the field he’s tremendous. He adds fun, seriousness, a competitive brand to our footy club, he wants to win and play every moment as if it’s his last,” Cameron said.