Elation, relief for Swan

NERVOUS Sydney defender Alex Johnson was a mix of elation and relief after his longawaited AFL return, which was some 2136 days in the making.

Johnson, who recovered from 12 knee operations to run out for his first game since the 2012 grand final, played a key role in the Swans’ two-point win against Collingwood.

Every one of Johnson’s 16 disposals was greeted with a loud cheer from the SCG crowd of 39,238.

“It’s just elation, joy. A little bit of relief to get through ... I was fairly nervous today. Once I got my first touch I felt like I was in the game and we were away,” Johnson, 26, told the club’s website.

“I’m really happy the club told me I was playing on Wednesday morning, so I had three days to prepare.”