Johnson’s worst fears realised, Nick Smith out for at least six weeks

Alex Johnson's worst fears were realised on Tuesday with scans confirming the defender has torn his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Sydney were dealt more bad news with All Australian backman Nick Smith in danger of missing the rest of the season with injury.

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The setbacks will test the depth of the Swans' defence though Zak Jones will return after serving a two-match suspension. Heath Grundy is also in contention to return after missing the past fortnight to focus on his mental health.

Johnson will consult doctors again next week and is facing his sixth knee reconstruction.

The injury occurred on Sunday in only his second game back at senior level after nearly six years out.

"Clearly this is a really disappointing outcome for Alex," Swans football manager Tom Harley said.

Devastating news: Alex Johnson is facing a sixth knee reconstruction.

Devastating news: Alex Johnson is facing a sixth knee reconstruction.

"Alex has worked so hard over the past six years to get back to playing football and for this to happen in his second game back is just shattering for him and for us.

"Alex has shown unbelievable resilience and determination over his career and will continue to be an inspiration to his teammates and the wider AFL community.

"As we saw after the injury on Sunday, Alex is the ultimate clubman and will be doing all he can to support his teammates from the sidelines for the remainder of the season."

Smith has damaged a tendon high up in his hamstring and faces at least six weeks on the sidelines. That would mean he will not play until the grand final if the Swans get that far.

Though not a high possession winner, the reliable Smith gets the job on the opposition's most dangerous small forward and is rarely beaten. It ends his streak of 64 consecutive games.

"Nick's got a hamstring tendon injury, at this early stage it looks like six weeks for Nick which obviously makes the season challenging," Harley said.

"He had a scan yesterday, we'll gather all of the facts as to the next steps with Nick," Harley said.

"Clearly it was disappointing he wasn't able to play any further part in the game on Sunday and it looks like he'll be having an extended period on the sidelines also."

Key backman Grundy shapes as a logical replacement for Johnson.

"He's been working on his general wellbeing the last couple of weeks," Harley said.

"He's trained really well and expect him to train really well again this week and I would expect him to be in the selection discussion later in the week."

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