Stevie J show falters at end
THE lifelines have finally run out for the Greater Western Sydney’s enigmatic forward Steve Johnson.
Johnson has been dropped from the Giants team for the AFL qualifying final against the Crows at Adelaide Oval tonight, having been named as an emergency.
In a desperate bid to prove he can still be a finals force Johnson, who announced his retirement at season’s end, will play in a trial match today between the Giants and Crows reserves.
The 34-year-old has been battling degenerative knee issues all season and looked completely off the pace in the Giants’ 44-point loss to his old team Geelong a fortnight ago.
In that game, the out-ofform Johnson picked up a season-low eight disposals which played a significant factor in Giants coach Leon Cameron’s decision to drop the fading star.
“It was a big decision on Steve Johnson,” Cameron said.
“But he’d be the first to admit that the last few weeks, his body and form probably hasn’t been to the level that he wants it to be.
“It was a big decision for the club but one he’s been absolutely outstanding at in taking.”
The triple premiership player announced the 2017 season would be his last four weeks ago.
“I’d love to finish on a fairytale but it doesn’t always happen, I’ll be leaving the game with nothing left in the tank,” he said.
Johnson is one of two changes for the Giants, who have lost small forward Devon Smith to a knee injury.
Former Fremantle Docker Matt de Boer comes into the team, along with youngster Harry Himmelberg.
Adelaide vice-captain Rory Sloane has lost his race against the clock to play tonight.
Sloane, who had appendix surgery on Tuesday last week, says the risk of further injury is too high to play.
“I haven’t quite healed as well as I would have liked.” Sloane said.
His injury-forced withdrawal is among three changes to Adelaide’s side from the last home-and-away match.
The Crows recalled captain Taylor Walker (toe), defender Daniel Talia (ankle) and Hugh Greenwood (rested).