Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh urged the football public to spare a thought for teammate Alex Johnson.

It was a heartfelt message from the co-captain at the 2015 Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Wednesday night.

McVeigh, addressing a large crowd inside The Star Events Centre, praised Johnson’s resilience as the 23-year-old recovers from a third knee reconstruction.

The months following the 2012 Grand Final, Johnson’s last match in the red and white, was meant to be a summer of celebration and then a whirlwind of excitement for the season ahead.

Instead Johnson, after the Swans’ first pre-season hit out, was left a broken man after rupturing his ACL at Blacktown which spelled an end to his 2013 campaign.

A series of complications and infections, which will hopefully come to a head after  his fourth reconstruction scheduled for August, has seen Johnson experience adversity which no up-and-comer should ever experience.

But as McVeigh powerfully pointed out, his widely-loved premiership teammate has “never complained” throughout the entire process.

“Alex Johnson is a teammate who we respect, who we admire, who inspires us, who never complains,” he said.

“We see AJ every day at the football club, training on his own in the gym, watching the group train from the sidelines. As cruel as this is I've never heard or seen him complain once.

“AJ - continue to inspire, and continue your incredible resilient approach to achieving your goals. We're all behind you.”

Johnson has played 45 games since arriving at the Swans via pick 57 in the 2010 National Draft.

The key defender immediately earned the respect of teammates and the coaching staff, debuting in round three against West Coast during the subsequent season.

McVeigh believed Johnson will play again.

When that will be is unknown to the Swans’ doctors and the man himself, but with the overwhelming and unyielding support around him the co-captain was convinced Johnson will run out with the squad again.

“I think his carrot is the fact that when the opportunity comes, however long that may be away, he'll be ready. It's a real testament to his character,” McVeigh added.

“And how proud all of us will be when you take the field once again, knowing that it's all been worthwhile.”

McVeigh then turned his attention to the season ahead.

The room, which was filled with shouts of “Up the bloods!” and “Go Swannies!” beforehand, fell eerily silent as guests spared a thought for the luckless Swan.