Stevie J: The Cat with the Giant Story

by Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson has become the king of reinvention – from misbehaving larrikin to premiership star; from Cat to Giant – and he's been at the heart of two of the most remarkable AFL teams of modern times: the great Geelong triple-premiership side, and the coming juggernaut of Greater Western Sydney.

A country boy with a very distinct waddle who had to defeat his doubters to make it to the AFL, Steve Johnson – or Stevie J as he is affectionately known – is famous for his ability to reinvent himself. From troubled talent to AFL superstar, this is a story of redemption: of a larrikin with a competitive spirit that drove him to become one of the most successful and watchable players of the modern era.

After overcoming a range of obstacles, Stevie J was at the heart of the team that turned around the fortunes of the Geelong Football Club, transforming the culture and breaking a 44-year premiership drought. This is a full account of how he was able to earn back the respect of his teammates in an extremely challenging period, transforming him into one of the most respected players in the game – and a Norm Smith medallist.

Following his heartbreak of leaving the Cats at the end of 2015, after three premierships and three All-Australian selections, he’s been part of the rising juggernaut of Greater Western Sydney. Stevie’s brought energy, experience and his second-to-none football brain to the young Giants, helping to turn them into a true force to be reckoned with.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 30, 2017

About the author

Born and raised in Wangaratta, Steve Johnson was selected by Geelong with pick 24 in the 2001 Draft. During his thirteen seasons with the Cats, Steve Johnson was a member of Geelong's 2007, 2009 and 2011 premiership sides, the 2007 Norm Smith Medallist and a three-time All Australian. He kicked 452 goals for Geelong and led the club’s goal-kicking in 2008 and 2010. Johnson joined the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the end of 2015.

Reviews

[Julie Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I first started to read this book, I thought to myself, 'Here we go, the Stevie J Show'. I understand, it's his biography but to start with it was all about he good he was and how successful it was. As a Geelong Cats fan and a Stevie J fan I wasn't sure I wanted to read a book where all he does is hype himself up. I am SO glad that I continued reading. What we have here is a man who is open and honest about himself and his football. Once he made it to the AFL level his book really started to make sense and open me up even further to his thoughts and his story.
I really liked that Stevie J could admit when he was being a tool and doing silly things. It would be easy, in hindsight, to just hide all of those escapades in the cupboard and never bring them out again. Steve does not do that. Instead, he brings them out of the cupboard and exposes them all for us to see, to read. I found it interesting to get his perspective on some of the incidents that ocurred at the Club and away from it. His openess was refreshing, including the period where he could admit that he hated Geelong for a period because of the bad taste it left behind when they didn't renew his contract, but he left that behind when he returned in 2017 for the 10 year celebrations of the Grand Final win. As supporters, we all love Stevie J. We could get annoyed at his antics on and off the field, but to read about it here from his point of view was a real eye opener and makes me feel even more respect for this great man. I am sad that his dream of being a one club player didn't happen, but I am very glad that he used his drive to carve out a future for himself and his family.
The Cat with the Giant Story was easy to read and very insightful. I liked that he shared with us the respect that he had for various players and coaches. It is books like these that open up the eyes of supporters to see that not everything is as it seems. It means we need to keep our eyes open when the media starts speculating or presenting new stories because they may not always have the truth.
Thank you for sharing about your time in Bali and how hard it was to go back. This chapter reminds us that no matter who we are, we all bleed just the same. We all feel emotions and no one can escape it when faced with a horror such as you experienced.
Great book for a football fan, or a sporting fan who likes to see behind the scenes, but an awesome book for a Geelong Supporter. GO CATS!!!!

[Matt Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. You don't need to be a Geelong fan to like this book (helps to understand and appreciate some of the situations of course) but you get the story of a guy who lived to play football, who enjoyed the party lifestyle associated with the era, and how he overcame injuries to play.

[Iain Colquhoun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, guilty pleasure. Love reading about the glory years at Catland.