ONE of Geelong’s rising stars Steve Johnson, pre-season has been thrown into chaos, following a fall from a fence at the Torquay Hotel last weekend.

It’s expected the 20 year-old will be sidelined for up to eight weeks, after breaking the tibia bone in his right ankle, whilst attending a farewell party for outgoing Cat Mitchell White.

But Geelong coach Mark Thompson has dismissed claims that Johnson was ejected from the Hotel, while trying to jump a back fence to return to the function.

“ I can guarantee that for a fact, that’s out of his (Johnson’s) own mouth ” Thompson told the Herald Sun.

Johnson, played a total of 15 games this season, kicking 23 goals, with a six goal haul coming against the Brisbane Lions at the GABBA in Round 21, had a pin inserted into his ankle, but will not require plaster.

It is not the first time a Geelong player has been involved in an accident along Victoria’s Surf Coast in the off season. Two years ago David Spriggs required a knee reconstruction after jumping from a beach wall in Lorne. He missed the whole of the 2002 season.

Although Johnson’s injury is not as serious as David Spriggs, according to Sports Medical expert Dr Peter Larkins, the Geelong utility will not be able to complete any running duties over the next two months.

“ It takes a minimum six weeks to heal the bone ” he said “ And then you need a week or two putting normal weight on it before you can run. Even if he’s walking on it in four or five (weeks) you wouldn’t expect him to run on it before six or eight ” Dr Larkins said.

Johnson, is likely to be in doubt when Geelong kicks off their Wizard Cup campaign on February 23 against Port Adelaide at Bundaberg Rum Stadium in Cairns.