NEAFL Swans coach Rhyce Shaw could not be happier or prouder of his premiership teammate Alex Johnson, who'll make his long-awaited return to football on Saturday, but will no doubt feel better when the game's over, his good mate gets through unscathed and a win's in the bank.

Shaw couldn't wipe the smile from his face when Johnson was a confirmed starter for the Round 14 clash against Canberra at UNSW Canberra Oval following more than four years of recurring knee problems which have required five knee reconstructions and 12 procedures overall.

Shaw led the applause and cheers as his selection was announced in front of the entire playing group by senior coach John Longmire during a special post-training meeting earlier in the week.

Since Johnson was given the green light, there's been a massive buzz around the football club which Shaw said will give both AFL and NEAFL teams an extra boost ahead of their respective games this weekend.

While it's an exciting time, Johnson's professional approach means Shaw hasn't had to try very hard to keep his 'new recruit' grounded and refocus his squad for what's still an important game ahead.

"To be honest he's been pretty much the same as usual," Shaw said of the luckless but dogged defender.

"He is a genuine lunatic at the best of times but, if anything, he's been quite business like.

"Knowing him, I reckon he'll treat this as just the first step on the way to his ultimate goal and that's to play AFL football again.

"I think it's been great for the playing group. As much as I wouldn't want to suppress the excitement of seeing 'AJ' prepare and play again, I have all the faith the focus will be there.

"He will pull them back into line knowing there's still a game to win, because he's the ultimate competitor."

Johnson, who'll play around 40 minutes of managed game time, is just one of three big inclusions for the NEAFL Swans as they aim for an 11th-straight win and the second against the Canberra Demons.

Key defender Aliir Aliir returns after a week off with a tweaked medial ligament while Callum Sinclair is set to bolster Shaw's ruck stocks following his omission from the senior side.

Jordan Dawson (corked calf) and Jarrad McVeigh (AFL recall) go out of the side.

The NEAFL Swans and Canberra have had contrasting seasons to date. The Demons sit seventh on the ladder with a 4-7 record while Shaw's men haven't lost a game since their opening-round loss to Brisbane to sit one game clear at the top of the table.

The clubs' last meeting ended in a 121-point win to the visitors, with that clash also played out in the Nation's Capital.

The NEAFL Swans had help from Kurt Tippett and Gary Rohan that afternoon. No such luxury this time, with Tippett out injured and Rohan winning games in the AFL, but that hasn't curbed Shaw's belief given his side's impeccable form of late.

NEAFL Round 14 - Sydney  Swans v Canberra Demons
UNSW Canberra Oval, Canberra
Saturday, July 1 @ 12 noon