Three-time Geelong premiership star Steve Johnson has announced he will leave Geelong after Saturday’s AFL final round home match.
The 32-year-old Johnson will get to farewell fans when he lines up for his 253rd and final game with the Cats when they face Adelaide at Simonds Stadium.
“Playing with Geelong, enjoying the success we have and to have done it alongside so many great team mates and friends over the past 14 years has been a dream come true,” Johnson said on Friday.
“Once I’ve finished this weekend, I’ll be looking at the options available to me within the AFL industry.”
Johnson joins premiership teammates James Kelly and Matthew Stokes, who announced they would not play with Geelong next season earlier in the week.
The mercurial forward was renowned during his time at Geelong for performing on the big stage, kicking 38 goals in 23 finals appearances.
Johnson won the Norm Smith Medal in 2007 for his five-goal performance in the Cats’ demolition of a hapless Port Adelaide.
He entered the 2011 grand final under a serious injury cloud, but defied critics to kick four goals as Geelong defeated Collingwood, earning him his third premiership medallion with the club.
STEVE JOHNSON’S GEELONG CAREER
Games: 252
Goals: 450
Finals: 23
Brownlow votes: 106
Born: July 4, 1983
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers/Wangaratta
Premierships: 2007, 2009, 2011
All Australian: 2007, 2008, 2010
Norm Smith Medal: 2007
Geelong leading goalkicker: 2008, 2010
New York Hawk
Guest
As a Hawks supporter, I will truly miss you Stevie J. It signals the end of an era between our two clubs, and while we were on the losing end most of the time (during the regular season at least), nothing was as big as a Cats game for me. Seeing you, Kelly and Stokes follow Scarlett, Ling, Mooney and co leaves me sad, but very grateful we got to see you and your team play that amazing brand of football.
Paul W
Guest
Watching the Stevie J Show made Cats games a must.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Not sure he's coach material. Bomber Thompson seemed to imply Stevie J was a bit of a nutter, at a function I attended this year. He said he regularly approached Bomber enthusiastically with ideas and strategies which mostly all revolved around the team directing more of the ball to Stevie J!
Anonymous
Roar Pro
That’s the general consensus but you have to question his mentality, after all, this is a guy who decided to snap a set shot from 30m directly in front only for it to fall short in the square. It would definitely be interesting if he was your mentor.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Odds on to become a coach I reckon. Will probably sign on to play somewhere for a year, but use that to transition into a development position.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I absolutely loved watching Stevie J. Great career.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Well done Johnson, you will be missed. GO CATS 2016!