Sydney premiership player Alex Johnson has made a successful return to football in the NEAFL on Saturday, and even capped off his day with a goal.

Johnson's last competitive game was an astonishing 1736 days ago, due to undergoing five knee reconstructions since that day.

The 25-year-old returned for the Swans against Canberra in the reserves on Saturday, and was cheered on by not just fans at the ground, but by at least 10 senior players includingย Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery, Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd, Tom Papley, Dean Towers and Nic Newmanย who played in Sydney's 35-point win over Melbourne at the MCG on Friday night.

Johnson only played in the first half but did manage a goal in the second term, before being mobbed by every one of his teammates on the ground.

For the record, Sydney 20.18 (138) defeated Canberra 7.5 (47) by a whopping 91 points.