One of the AFL's most incredible comeback stories will unfold on Saturday, when Sydney's Alex Johnson returns after 12 knee operations and 2136 days on the sidelines.
Johnson hasn't played since the 2012 grand final, a product of five knee reconstructions and multiple serious knee infections that hampered his rehabilitation.
To put those numbers in perspective, some of Johnson's new teammates were in primary school when he won the premiership.
"That gives you an insight into Alex's resilience," Swans coach John Longmire told reporters.
"It's one of the more remarkable stories I've ever seen in professional sport.
"You can't deny there's been plenty of down times ... I went through two knee reconstructions. I know what a rehab is like, it's hard and tough.
"But I have no idea what Alex has been through, nobody has."
Longmire recalled when Johnson was rushed to hospital from the club in 2015 and other serious moments on the seemingly never-ending road to recovery.
"How are you going to be at 35 when you're picking up your kids? Those were the discussions we were having," Longmire said.
"Is it still worth it?
"He was always pretty adamant, so we were prepared to back that in."
Johnson's 46th AFL match will be vindication of his hard work, but Longmire stressed the defender wasn't being gifted a game against Collingwood.
"It's not a shock or a surprise, he's been playing really well in our reserves for quite a while," Longmire said.
"People probably forget how good a player he was (in 2012) ... we looked at Alex as being fullback, centre-half back of this football club for the next 15 years."
Johnson, the embodiment of persistence, insisted he never gave up hope of playing AFL again.
"That's why I've stuck at it," he said.
"I'm really excited, just a whole bunch of emotions."
Johnson thanked Longmire, teammates, family and friends for their help throughout his recovery.
Geelong's Daniel Menzel, who has successfully returned to the AFL after four knee reconstructions, has also been a sounding board.
Many of Johnson's teammates from the 2012 premiership team have retired.
That list includes Rhyce Shaw, who has become a mentor and source of great support in recent years.
"Shaw has been amazing ... he asked me when he retired if I would take over his number. Finally I get an opportunity to actually wear it in the AFL," Johnson said.
Johnson's unlucky run started when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a pre-season clash in 2013.
He finally returned last year, representing Sydney's reserves while playing his first match in 1736 days.
Johnson was delisted in 2017, but the Swans used their final selection in the rookie draft to keep the luckless backman on their books.
