The extraordinary career of Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson remains on hold.
Johnson's current contract with the Swans runs out later this month and he's yet to receive another offer to play on in 2018, with the club focused on getting through the NAB AFL Trade Period.
The courageous 25-year-old hasn't played a senior game since starring in the Swans' 2012 premiership win over Hawthorn, and has undergone five knee reconstructions since.
Serious infections and other mishaps have forced Johnson to also undergo another 12 separate knee surgeries, but he made an emotional return to the field in the NEAFL in July, 1736 days after first tearing the ACL in his left knee back in 2013.
The decision on Johnson's future is sure to be agonising for Swans officials.
He's an immensely respected figure at the club for the way he's battled back from so many heartbreaking setbacks, and remains a popular member of the playing group.
Sydney football manager Tom Harley told AFL.com.au that the club had been in contact with Johnson since the end of the season, and made him aware that the club wouldn't be in a position to make a call on his future until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period.
"We've been open with Alex about that," he said.
"We need to work through the Trade Period to see what our list looks like, and what our needs look like as well.
"Once we get through the Trade Period on Thursday we'll have a further discussion around Alex."
If the Swans can't find a spot on the senior list for Johnson, where he has remained throughout his AFL career to date, a rookie-draft lifeline could keep him at the club.
Johnson played nine games in the NEAFL this season, and Harley said that after taking some time to settle back into the weekly rigours of footy, the defender finished the year unscathed.
"He had a few niggles that were to be expected given he'd been dormant for the best part of five years," he said.
"He had some groin issues and a shoulder knock at one stage, but didn't miss a game once he actually got back to playing.
"Admittedly it was a pretty slow build but he was playing full games by the end of the season which was a real positive.
"He's had some time off since the season has finished and he'll start to work on his off-season program, which will prepare him for a full pre-season."
