“A GRAND Final from the top shelf.”
The great Dennis Cometti didn’t mince his words in the final 50 seconds of the 2012 AFL Grand Final.
With Sydney holding onto a four-point lead over Hawthorn, Nick Malceski, who’d already kicked a crowd-lifting goal in the opening term, etched his name into footy folklore with a neat left foot snap to seal the victory.
Sharing the field, in his 45th game, Alex Johnson was part of the Swans brigade that flanked Malceski in celebration.
That day was the last time Alex Johnson and Nick Malceski shared the field in the AFL.
But that famous flag is not the only thing they have in common.
This year they have taken over their own respective VFL programs, and they are considered the Swans two most famous knee reconstruction victims.
Having ridden the highs of footy, both were forced to give the game away due to repeated ACL injuries, with Johnson arguably the most famous story of perseverance through injury in the AFL.
Post-playing, both Malceski and Johnson have gone down the coaching path.
Malceski an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Suns before heading up the Swans’ VFL program following the departure of another 2012 premiership teammate, Jarrad McVeigh
Johnson, a development coach with the Bulldogs, this year stepped into the VFL coaching role at the reigning premiers Footscray, taking the reins from premiership mentor Stewart Edge.
This Friday, for the first time since September 29, 2012 they’ll share the field. Not as teammates, but as coaching rivals.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing ‘AJ’ and coaching against him on Friday. I did see him a few weeks back at the VFL launch which was great and he is doing well,” Malceski told VFL.com.au ahead of Friday’s match up.
“There has been a bit of chat through texts already. Footscray is the benchmark of the VFL competition so will be a great challenge for our young group. I will buzz him when we land and catch up at the senior match hopefully.”
Johnson has a task on his hands, the Dogs’ mounting injuries at AFL level will see his undefeated side look vastly different from the one that claimed the 2025 VFL flag.
His side is on a 17-game winning streak, dating back to Round 9, 2025.
Malceski, meanwhile, has turned around a losing start to the season to record back-to-back victories and gain some well-earned confidence.
His return to the Swans felt like the perfect fit.
“I was excited to get back to the club I grew up playing with as an 18-year-old for 12 years. I’ve got heaps of amazing memories,” he said.
“‘Macca’ (Jarrad McVeigh) has been a massive part of the Bloods for a long time and I was just excited to take over the role from him and help develop our younger players on the list and help build the culture.”
The Swans have only beaten Footscray once from six match ups since joining the VFL in 2021.
They’ve proved in recent weeks they’re made of the right stuff, and in a few hours time they will see if the man with the famous boot in Bloods history can do a number on the young Pup of the VFL coaching stable.
