The Cat with a Giant Story

Steve Johnson - or Stevie J, as he's known to the many who who love him - is the mercurial genius who was at the heart of three Geelong premierships. His 2007 season in particular is one of the great football stories and one that will be long remembered - he went from being arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct at the start of the year to Norm Smith medallist at the end. He's always been a crowd favourite at Geelong, despite or maybe because of his can't-look-away inconsistency in front of goal. And fans of other clubs have really warmed to him as well, because of his talent, his decency and his second-to-none football brain. He also has a fascinating story outside of football, having been on the ground during the Bali bombings and with a family touched by drug addiction and tragedy. Our upcoming Stevie J memoir, then, will be a fantastic read about a very impressive and much loved player, ably put together by ghostwriter Adam McNicol (who's previously worked with Brendan Fevola, David Schwarcz and the Danihers). It's the first major book from an absolute club favourite about Geelong's record-breaking era. And even Geelong fans have to admit that the most exciting chapter could be the final one, if Stevie J kicks Greater Western Sydney into this year's grand final ...