IT IS a club they would rather not be part of, but having undergone four knee reconstructions each Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson and Geelong comeback kid Daniel Menzel share a unique bond.
 
And with Johnson set for his fifth reconstruction since his last game in the 2012 Grand Final win over Hawthorn, Menzel recently caught up with the Swan for a coffee and a chat.
 
Johnson, who has played 45 games since his 2011 debut, is set for the same procedure as Menzel's last reconstruction – which removed the LARS synthetic ligament and installed a piece of patella tendon for his new anterior cruciate ligament.
 
Menzel, 24, returned from that procedure in round 22 last year and booted four goals in a heartwarming performance against Collingwood, 1450 days after his last AFL match in the 2011 qualifying final.
 
Menzel shared a photo with Johnson on Instagram offering words of encouragement for the Swan, who turned 24 on Wednesday, and included the hashtag 'MTMF' meaning 'Mental Fortitude, Mental Toughness' – a motto the Cat has been inspired by throughout his toughest times.
 
"Great to see you still positive and confident with this next procedure which is the same as my last one!" Menzel wrote.

"'Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, an hour, a day or our case nearly four years, if we quit however, it will last forever'

"Keep going legend, it's all worth it!"