STAR Greater Western Sydney forward Steve Johnson will play on in 2017.

Johnson came to the Giants at the end of last year from Geelong on a one-year deal, with an option of a second, and after discussions with the club, has decided he will add a 16th season to his storied career.

The 33-year-old made his announcement at the GWS Grand Final lunch in Sydney on Wednesday.

The triple premiership Cat missed last week's preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs through suspension after copping a week for a high shot on Sydney Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy in the Giants' first final, but said he didn't think he had let his teammates down.

"I don't feel guilty, because I can honestly say I didn't mean to do it," he said.

"It wasn't intentional, and I would have loved to have been out there, but these things happen.

"I feel a little bit disappointed for the younger players that haven't got to experience what I have, and I know they really would have lapped up Grand Final week.

"Hopefully it gives those guys more motivation to get back there next season."

Johnson, who will undergo minor knee surgery next Tuesday, kicked 43 goals from 22 games in 2016. The veteran helped transform the Giants' forward line, with his experience vital to players such as Toby Greene, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb.

The 2007 Norm Smith medallist said his decision to play on was an easy one, despite lucrative coaching offers coming his way in recent months, but it still required plenty of discussion with his family and GWS coach Leon Cameron.

Johnson said it was tough having to watch his team bow out of this year's finals series last week, but he hoped to help them rectify the result in 2017.

"As much as it was a great season for the footy club, it was a missed opportunity," Johnson said.

"I can certainly see that success is building and to be given the opportunity to possibly be a part of it next season is something I'm excited about.

"I took a lot of time to think about it.

"There was some offers to move back to Melbourne and they were things that I really considered.

"But I've still got the run in the legs and the capabilities to keep playing, so it would have been silly to say no."

Cameron told a packed GWS room at Darling Harbour in the Sydney CBD that Johnson would be ready for day one of pre-season in early December despite the surgery.

"He contributes on the field not only with his ability to hit the scoreboard, but in making our forward line work," he said.

"Clearly his legs are still going well, and that sounds pretty bad doesn't it, he's 33. 

"We're rapt to have him on board and we look forward to having him having another big pre-season ahead of next year."