Stevie J can’t wait to link up with his good Buddy
NEW Sydney assistant coach Steve Johnson can’t wait to get to work in his new role with the Swans in coming weeks.
Johnson retired after 293 games with Geelong and GWS following the Giants’ prelimi- nary final loss to Richmond, but had no trouble finding a job, thanks to his renowned football smarts.
The 34-year-old said he was particularly excited about the prospect of working closely with superstar forward Buddy Franklin.
“I can’t wait, and Buddy is the obvious one, so it will be good to see him up close and see the way he goes about it and to work with him,” Johnson said.
“But there is some very good young talent that is developing there that I also can’t wait to get in and meet and try to pass on some of the know- ledge that I’ve learned over my 16 years as a player.”
Johnson had been linked to a coaching career well before he pulled the pin on his playing days, and said the opportunity to work with Swans coach John Longmire was too good to pass up.
“It’s been on the radar for a number of years,” he said. “I have always loved the game from when I was a young kid and as a player I can’t get enough of watching football and helping teach young players. I feel extremely fortunate that I’ll be joining a club that has had a history of success and developing people as well.”