GREATER Western Sydney recruit Steve Johnson is confident he can enjoy a spike in form at his second club after making a blistering first impression at his pre-season training debut for the club this week.
The triple-premiership star returned in top condition on Monday and finished third in both of the Giants' opening 3km time trials, which were each won by Tom Scully ahead of Rhys Palmer.
Johnson, whose run impressed coach Leon Cameron, said he wasn't setting a limit on how long he thought he could play for at GWS and was focused on improving in his 15th season.
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"I’m confident I can put in a really good pre-season this year and play some better footy at the Giants than I did with the Cats last year," Johnson told the Daily Telegraph.
"I'm not setting any limitations on the length of my career. I’m going into the season looking to play good footy and help them play in their first finals series.
"While you have to understand the end is getting nearer, it’s something I’m not spending too much time on. It’s a priority to come here and play some good footy."
Johnson's output dropped in 2015 with Geelong as he moved closer to goal, no longer capable of rotating through the midfield as he had in his prime.
He still kicked 30 goals from 20 games but his average possessions, clearances, tackles and inside 50s all fell to five-year lows.
Johnson said his dip in form was the result of an ordinary pre-season.
"I certainly had my doubts midway through last year whether physically I was capable," he said.
"But in the last six to eight weeks I’ve started to feel really good physically. It shows my body is resilient."
Insisting he was not playing on "to prove something", Johnson said his drive was the fact he still loved football and thought he could help the Giants rise.
He said he wanted to share the knowledge he had gained as part of the great Geelong premiership sides to help GWS beat the best teams.
"It would be silly for me to play on to prove something," he said.
"My motivation is the fact I still love football and I’m confident I can produce some good football.
"I’ve experienced a lot through my journey at the Cats but I also feel I have an understanding of the game and how important it is to understand every individual’s role within the team and how selfless you have to be to beat the best teams."