Giants to consider resting Stevie J

GWS Giants coach Leon Cameron will decide over the next couple of days whether to give veteran forward Steve Johnson an overdue rest.

Johnson notched a personal season-high tally of 27 touches and kicked 2.3 in the Giants impressive 42-point AFL home win over Sydney on Sunday.

The former Geelong star has played in each of the Giants first 12 games, averaging a touch under 20 possessions a match and leads their goalkicking list with 24.

However, after the match Cameron revealed the 32-year-old had been battling with a foot issue in recent weeks.

“He’s just been getting up lately,” Cameron said.

“He was terrific today in such a big game but he’s an old warrior, he’s a competitive man.

“We probably should have rested him a few weeks ago.

“I was disappointed I didn’t make that decision.

“He was sore at the end of the game.

“His foot has just been playing up a little bit, but he plays a physical brand, a little bit like (Giants’ ruckman Shane) Mumford.

“They just likes to hit bodies.

“We’ll see how he (Johnson) is going by about Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Cameron revealed Johnson was also involved in one of the funnier moments of the day.

It came as Giants fan and former Swans supporter Paul Waterhouse won $100,000 in a three-quarter time promotion at Spotless Stadium in front of a record crowd of over 21,000.

“I’m just about to deliver a speech and there’s a roar, I don’t get a roar for my speech,” Cameron said.

“Steve Johnson, I can see him in the back and he starts giggling and I’m trying to say `contested ball,’ but he’s giggling again.

“It was one of those really funny moments at footy.

“I’m trying to keep a straight face, we’re only 20-odd points up and the Swans are coming (back) and someone has won $100,000, but it was good.

“He (Waterhouse) was in the rooms. He acknowledged that he’ll contribute $100,00 to the footy club now,” Cameron quipped.

Cameron reported no other injury worries apart from Johnson and hoped to have defender Adam Kennedy back for next Sunday’s game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

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