Are we carrying Johno?

[Mantis]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Disagree with this. When Johnson doesn't try to do too much with it, his field kicking is very good, particularly his ability to mark, turn quickly to his right and stab a pass to a leading forward. In his few matches this season he has one been one of our best at kicking the ball to Hall on the lead.

Where I agree with you is that I don't like to see him playing in the back half where he tends to try and do too much (either by trying to create with run or by foot). The strength of his field-kicking is kicking to a leading forward, and he needs to stay around the front-half of the ground.

The Heath Shaw match-up worries me as well, but if we play with some intelligence about when we go to Johnson I still think he can turn it into a win or at least a break-even contest. What's important is to go through Johnno when Shaw gives him a little space around half-forward, but to avoid him when Shaw is manning him up closely (and so deprive Shaw of the ball as well).

Of course it's a disaster if we isolate Johnno and Shaw and put the ball on his head, but we can play to Johnno's existing strengths against all three defenses (who often tend to give half-fowards a bit of space).

I agree with this first bit because so far Johnson has been ok in games against the poor quality teams and has spotted up Hall on a number of occassions, but has really struggled against Hawthorn & Geelong.

[dogman]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Link

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aker-blasts-selfish-johnson/story-e6frf9io-1225905740085

[Mofra]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Before this game I really though Johnno put together 4 - 5 really good games.

So do I. I don't think we should stamp his papers on the back of one poor effort when he had 18-19 teammates in the same boat.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

I just think the coaches need to be a bit more mindful of how they play him against who, how he is rotated - position him to his strengths.

He has kicked some great goals in the past few weeks and looked pretty good except V Geelong. As noted, he was not the only one!. He lifts the players as well. Sour grapes from Aker to single him out. Had plenty of underperformers on Sat.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

I agree with this first bit because so far Johnson has been ok in games against the poor quality teams and has spotted up Hall on a number of occassions, but has really struggled against Hawthorn & Geelong.

Hawthorn was one of his early games back and almost everyone struggled against Geelong - and even disregarding the flu which might not have effected him, the six day break after the slog of Adelaide wouldn't have helped someone who is still trying to build up fitness.

And he failed by trying to do too much (again). He simply cannot carry the team and is much better as a cog who does the small things really well rather than trying to break the game open.

The doubts about him are fair enough, but Johnno has helped us win big games before and I reckon can still do so.

[ReLoad]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

So Akermanis has said nothing up until we have a poor game? why didnt he say this over the last month when we were belting teams?

Akers timing indicates to me like a huge bowl full of sour grapes.

Thats not to say he doesn't have a point, The last few finals versus the cats Johnson had a party on Andrew Mackie, and i mean a real party, he totally smashed him as Mackie showed no respect whatsoever. But can the same be said now? Mackie had a severe case of genital warts on Saturday night as NOBODY went anywhere near him.

Johnson was and is his match up. and Johnno, (god bless you) you couldnt keep up - you sure as heck were not alone, but highlighted clearly, crisply and succinctly that you need to play a different role. (or none at all, ouch!)

So is it bad enough we have a full back running off Hall and another back flanker running off Johnson? Hall i can live with, But Johnno, no way.

So hows this: Hall leading out of the square as he has done all year, Johnno to play his foil and lead in the opposite direction to hall AFTER hall makes his split second move.
Chances are:
1.) by playing out of the square that the backman will not rebound as effectively as they are too far back.
2) They will gravititate to hall/get blocked thus freeing up Johnno (only needs to happen once or twice for BJ to kick a couple).
3) He wont get shown up for legspeed.

The negatives to this of course that Johnno is no good at crumbing and would be a liability as opposed to say (insert name of the best imaginary small forward we have here)

Yet more of my .02 Peoples Republic of West Footscray Roubles spent.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Aker has been on the today show this morning saying we are carrying Johno. That he no longer is good enough and should step down himself, as he is captain. He gave examples of his lack of chasing and tackling and labelled him as a liability to the team. Said he was a great bloke but the game has past him. Strong words or sour grapes?

Majority of calls on sen agreed with him.

I personally disagree, he has an important role to play in our team and to me is a great leader.

When has he ever chased and tackled?. That's Johnno

[Guest]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

The Heath Shaw match-up worries me as well, but if we play with some intelligence about when we go to Johnson I still think he can turn it into a win or at least a break-even contest. What's important is to go through Johnno when Shaw gives him a little space around half-forward, but to avoid him when Shaw is manning him up closely (and so deprive Shaw of the ball as well).

Unfortunately I don't think the Pies will let us play with intelligence. Our disposal has been shown to be ordinary this year with the pressure exerted by the better sides and we will probably find that we will be rushed and bombing it in. More so when the pressure goes up in the finals. It's not going to help Johnno.

[Sedat]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

A forward 50 consisting of Johnno, Hahn, Higgins and Hall isn't getting me particularly excited about our chances of curbing Collingwood's outstanding running half back line in week 1 of the finals. Hall obviously stays and Presti won't be hurting him with rebound, but I have serious concerns with the other 3 being uncerimoniously carved up. Higgins will also miss for a couple of weeks now, and I'm just not convinced he can come straight into the team for a final and not get exploited (let alone make a meaningful contribution).

But who comes in? Addison is now probably next in line on form - I don't think he's the answer. The irony of today's article (an irony completely lost on the author no doubt) is that the issue would be even worse if a certain goateed ex. player was still running around.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

My few cents worth and then I'll shut up for awhile

I was expecting Aker to go on the attack and am glad he has. I can't see how anything he says can hurt more than the loss, and I think it's likely to help the team play better. So bring on the narcissistic mouth I say!

When has he ever chased and tackled?. That's Johnno

Way to harsh Cyberdoggie - pressure skills have not been Johnno's strong point but he's really worked hard on this over the past couple of years and has at the very least made it into much less of a weakness.

Unfortunately I don't think the Pies will let us play with intelligence. Our disposal has been shown to be ordinary this year with the pressure exerted by the better sides and we will probably find that we will be rushed and bombing it in. More so when the pressure goes up in the finals. It's not going to help Johnno.

You can always play with some intelligence, particularly with how you set up and which first options you drill for etc. Johnno's not going to be great when the ball is bombed in long, but he only needs a moment to deliver the ball forward with a reliable precision to someone like Hall, and that's a skill which is even more valuable when the pressure is uppped in the finals.

Johnno's highly unlikely to come out and win a game against the big three off his own boot, but I still think he helps our structure and has a vital role to play.

A forward 50 consisting of Johnno, Hahn, Higgins and Hall isn't getting me particularly excited about our chances of curbing Collingwood's outstanding running half back line in week 1 of the finals. Hall obviously stays and Presti won't be hurting him with rebound, but I have serious concerns with the other 3 being uncerimoniously carved up. Higgins will also miss for a couple of weeks now, and I'm just not convinced he can come straight into the team for a final and not get exploited (let alone make a meaningful contribution).0

...

The irony of today's article (an irony completely lost on the author no doubt) is that the issue would be even worse if a certain goateed ex. player was still running around.

I can't see anyone advocating that forward line. But a forward line of Hall, Johnno, Grant, Jones, Gia and a resting onballer isn't super slow and should cause some match-up issues as well. Johnno's been better than Hahn this year and I'd pick him over Higgins as well on recent performances. So it's up to the other slow/iffy types to prove that they deserve a spot.

Btw I like your last line - Aker's pressure skills had fallen down heaps this year, as I'm sure any peer-feedback process would've told him....

[LostDoggy]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Look guys. I love Johnno. But he should have retired last year. Trying to please someone will and does cost the club games. I don't see the problem either, Scott West got 'made' to retire and he was still getting 26-32 touches a game.
I know he deserves better but he is not the best option when selecting the team.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

I think so, but who to replace him? Need a fwd with good f50 tackling pressure.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

A forward 50 consisting of Johnno, Hahn, Higgins and Hall isn't getting me particularly excited about our chances of curbing Collingwood's outstanding running half back line in week 1 of the finals. Hall obviously stays and Presti won't be hurting him with rebound, but I have serious concerns with the other 3 being uncerimoniously carved up. Higgins will also miss for a couple of weeks now, and I'm just not convinced he can come straight into the team for a final and not get exploited (let alone make a meaningful contribution).

But who comes in? Addison is now probably next in line on form - I don't think he's the answer. The irony of today's article (an irony completely lost on the author no doubt) is that the issue would be even worse if a certain goateed ex. player was still running around.

Oh agreed. Having Aker in the team would not have helped one Iota against a rampaging Geelong. Really annoyed me to see him carrying on this morning.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

I think it was against Fremantle (?) where he really dominated the first quarter playing around the fifty. He still has plenty to offer.

Play him deep next to Hall, tell him not to roam much past the forward 50.

[Mantis]

Re: Are we carrying Johno?

Play him deep next to Hall, tell him not to roam much past the forward 50.

That isn't going to work.

Johnno has lost his acceleration and his hands haven't been as good this year so I can't see him playing well in this role.

He needs to be able to run around.