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RIVAL clubs have already expressed considerable interest in Geelong star Steve Johnson, who will join the Cats’ retirement parade at Simonds Stadium today.
Johnson was officially told by Geelong on Thursday he would be moved on, with the triple premiership player not ruling out a career elsewhere.
He said yesterday he would be “looking at the options available to me within the AFL industry,” which include playing and assistant coaching.
His manager Craig Kelly said yesterday he had made clear to rivals offering deals Johnson wanted the dust to settle before he considered his next move.
But they have contacted Kelly wanting to know about Johnson’s future, keen to assess if he would move clubs for 2016.
Johnson had been told a month ago the club was less likely to go forward with him but as recently as this week had discussed with the club why he could play on.
That decision was made for him, with clubs in the premiership mode who need a quality finisher looking at Johnson.
“In all these situations everyone needs to take a step back,” Kelly said.
“Stevie needs some fresh air and we will work through those options in front of him.
“There will be a number of those.’’
Corey Enright is considered less likely to play on, with Geelong to farewell Johnson, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes against Adelaide today.
In making what the club had foreshadowed as a “brutal” decision, the Cats had forecast Johnson’s form a full year ahead and decided to move on.
The 32-year-old will move on from Geelong after 253 games, three flags, three All-Australian jumpers, a Norm Smith Medal and the love of the Geelong fans.