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ALEX Johnson's testing AFL journey will continue after the defender was given a spot on Sydney's rookie list on Monday.

A positive medical report gave the Swans the reassurance they needed to give the courageous backman another go.

Johnson was de-listed by the Swans at the end of this season despite making his way back to the field from his fifth knee reconstruction.

The 26-year-old managed 45 games in his first two season in the competition but hasn't played senior footy since he was part of Sydney's 2012 premiership side because of five ACL surgeries, and more than a dozen operations in total.

He played nine games for the Swans reserves in 2017 and was part of the club's losing NEAFL Grand Final side under former teammate Rhyce Shaw.

Johnson has been training with Sydney's younger players since the pre-season campaign begin two weeks ago, and hasn't been restricted in the amount of work he can complete on the track for the first time since his first knee injury in early 2013.

Swans fans protested on social media when Johnson was axed last month.

An AFL return still seems a long way off for the defender who was serviceable at NEAFL level this season, but being rookie listed at least gives the popular clubman a chance to reach the highest level.

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