PLAYERS get a spring in their step around finals time, but that feeling was magnified tenfold for Sydney Swan Alex Johnson on Wednesday.

Johnson ran laps of the SCG just over three months after his fifth knee reconstruction, the first time he's ticked the legs over on solid ground since rupturing his ACL for the second time in March 2014.

The 24-year-old first injured his knee in a pre-season game against Gold Coast in 2013, just months after playing a starring role in defence as the Swans upset Hawthorn to win the premiership under coach John Longmire.

The popular clubman has been through hell since his left knee first buckled, and after complications with both traditional and LARS reconstructions, Johnson told AFL.com.au that his gentle stroll on the Swans' home deck meant everything.

"It's massive, it's something I haven't done in 906 days, not that I'm counting," he laughed. 

"I've dreamt about it for the last two-and-a-half years.

"I grew up loving athletics and doing cross-country running, along with playing footy, so to have something so simple taken away has been really frustrating.

"For some people it is just running, but for me it's a huge step and gives me a lot of confidence going forward."

While his return to the playing field for the first time since he tasted Grand Final success as a 20-year-old might still be months away, the significance of his Wednesday rehabilitation session wasn't lost on those at the Swans. 

Coach John Longmire, co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, along with a host of Johnson's teammates, ignored their scheduled day off to see their teammate continue his fight to pull the boots on again. 

The Swans came in on their day off to support Johnson in his rehab. Picture: sydneyswans.com.au

"I was pretty overwhelmed when I saw the boys there to see me have a trot around, it was huge," Johnson said. 

"The fact that they came in on their day off for one reason, to support me, means a hell of a lot to me. 

"It just reinforces the amount of support I have around me from the boys and the club."

Johnson plans on training through the off-season break in some capacity, with a look at returning to playing early next season, and despite not being contracted beyond this season, achieving his goal of playing senior footy again is the only thing on his mind. 

"I'm not going to put a round on when I want to get back or anything like that," he said.

"I'll just see how everything progresses, but my goal is definitely to be playing senior footy next year at some point.

"The knee has never felt better; I've got great leg strength, no swelling, and everything is progressing in the right direction.

"I'll look to train through when the season finishes and get a fair few kilometres into the legs. 

"To come back in good nick when pre-season begins would be ideal, because then I can do the majority of the running with the boys."

It's pretty hard to wipe the smile from Johnson's face at the moment. Picture: sydneyswans.com.au

Given he's been stranded on 45 games for almost four years, the last of which was the highlight of his short playing career, finals time is a difficult period for Johnson, but he's learnt to deal with it as best he can.

He's been a valuable help for NEAFL coach and good mate Rhyce Shaw this season, and will continue to work with the Swans' young defenders when they take on Greater Western Sydney in the reserves grand final on Sunday, as well as being on hand to support the senior side 24 hours earlier.

"The five minutes before the players run out is when you really miss footy the most, and that’s something I've tried to remove myself from, in terms of the senior team," he said. 

"Obviously finals is harder than watching regular footy, but there'll be guys out there that could play for 15 years and never get close to a flag, so the fact that I've got a premiership medallion sits pretty comfortably with me.

"Plus I've known for quite a while that I wasn't going to be a part of it this year, so that makes it easier as well."

Johnson, along with Geelong forward Daniel Menzel, and former Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito, are three men often grouped together because of their cruel luck with knee injuries, and the Swan has been in contact with the Cat numerous times over the last 18 months. 

The defender said that while he hasn't spoken with or met Morabito, news of the West Australian's delisting on Monday was tough to hear.

"It is really tough because he had a really promising season in his first year and looked to be a lock for Fremantle's midfield for the next 10 years," Johnson said.

"But things haven't gone his way and that’s footy I suppose, these things can happen. 

"I do really feel for him because after what we've both been through, we're in similar situations."