Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

[BulldogBelle]

Well our Johnno is knocking on the door of 300 games another one of our players we will have the opportunity to witness getting to this milestone. In recent times we have proudly watched Grant, West, Smith reach 300 games and beyond.

Question I pose is how heavily is our reliance on Johnno?

I am the first to admit when he isn't playing in the side through injury etc, I am thinking constantly - who is going to kick the goals?

It is good to see we have Welsh now who hopefully can help out Johnno in the forward line and they can become a formidable duo. Time will tell.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

I think there has been an unhealthy reliance upon Johnno, which will abate this season as Rocket has stated he wants to prolong Johnno's career with greater stints on the bench.

[hujsh]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

Our reliance on Johnson is getting to the stage where we might benefit playing him as the CHF instead of Murphy. He'll still kick goals but others will have a chance to play deep with Johnno setting them up. If we need a spark then we can move him deep again.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

You are raising an important issue BBelle. Sometimes you watch him and you can just see he is not moving that well, and looks injured, but the guy rarely misses and always gives it everything he has

Our reliance on Johnson is getting to the stage where we might benefit playing him as the CHF instead of Murphy. He'll still kick goals but others will have a chance to play deep with Johnno setting them up. If we need a spark then we can move him deep again.

I wonder hujush if playing at CHF will be even more taxing on his body, as he'll have to run another 5-6kms a game wont he?

I think we just need more threats so that guys cant double team him and jump all over his back

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

I think we just need more threats so that guys cant double team him and jump all over his back

Exactly right BR. Every time the ball came forward last season, you could almost sense the opposition find Johnno, and double team him as most likely he's where the ball will come, and he's the most likely to win his contest. This was due to Murph and Hahn both struggling a bit and missing games, Darcy being unable to really provide the contest and no other clear options. Someone like Cooney could've played forward more often, but we really needed him in a midfield that was at times missing Cross, and West, as well as Griffen.

Welsh adds another option, and if one of Minson or Hudson can answer the call, we could suddenly have a very improved forward set up. The key for me though is Murph playing well. He's such a good player and if he can get it right across the half forward line, our other forwards can be made to look exceptional, no matter who plays there.

[hujsh]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

You are raising an important issue BBelle. Sometimes you watch him and you can just see he is not moving that well, and looks injured, but the guy rarely misses and always gives it everything he has



I wonder hujush if playing at CHF will be even more taxing on his body, as he'll have to run another 5-6kms a game wont he?

I think we just need more threats so that guys cant double team him and jump all over his back

I think he already runs further than most CHF so we would just position him differently. I have definitely seen him start at CHF but it can be a struggle to tell where the players are playing sometimes because there are games that look like soccer matches where everyone floods. He could also swap with Murph or a kpp when tired.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

Now is the time we need to play it conservative with him. Take Mark Ruccitio (SP?) for example. He was the youngest player to reach 300 games and was still playing great footy. Then his body broke down and only played another 10 or so games.

We cant have this happen to Johnno. He cannot be the vocal point anymore. The younger players have to step up and spread the load. Having Welsh down there is a blessing in disguise because he will take most of the heat off and it might even prolong his career.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

Question I pose is how heavily is our reliance on Johnno?

I am the first to admit when he isn't playing in the side through injury etc, I am thinking constantly - who is going to kick the goals?

It is good to see we have Welsh now who hopefully can help out Johnno in the forward line and they can become a formidable duo. Time will tell.

The short and not so sweet answer is that we rely too much on him but then again he delivers most times. Welsh might assist us but we need Johnson to have another one of those 50 plus goal efforts again.

He has some minor faults but he is the players that I have most enjoyed watching over the last few years mainly because in some ways he has been asked to play out of position and still become a star.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

He has some minor faults but he is the players that I have most enjoyed watching over the last few years mainly because in some ways he has been asked to play out of position and still become a star.

That is true, that makes him all the more special to our team. I have quite a few non bulldog friends and if I ask the question who would you take from the Dogs and place into your team the answer is always the same - Brad Johnson, as he can play a variety of roles and seems to have an overabundence of determination. I nod my head and say, Yes, you have described BJ to a tee.

[Mantis]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

He has some minor faults but he is the players that I have most enjoyed watching over the last few years mainly because in some ways he has been asked to play out of position and still become a star.

Being pessimistic you could argue he has some pretty major faults, but has found a way to become a very effective forward. I would just like him to focus a bit more on his defensive skills next season as this is certainly an area of his game he could an improve and this improvement will help us become a better side.

[hujsh]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

Being pessimistic you could argue he has some pretty major faults, but has found a way to become a very effective forward. I would just like him to focus a bit more on his defensive skills next season as this is certainly an area of his game he could an improve and this improvement will help us become a better side.

What faults? I can't really think of any

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

What faults? I can't really think of any

I'm with you hujsh. Maybe he's got bad table manners!

[Mantis]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

What faults? I can't really think of any

His defensive skills aren't that great. He isn't a great field kick.

Maybe I'm being picky, but there are area's he can certainly improve on.

[hujsh]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

His defensive skills aren't that great. He isn't a great field kick.

Maybe I'm being picky, but there are area's he can certainly improve on.

I have seen him tag Hird once for a quarter and i've never really seen him kick clangers but that defensive pressure may come down to what Grant said about the individuals being bigger than the club. It might be that Johnson was never expected to defend the same way Eagleton hasn't been.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Johnson - How heavy is our reliance on him?

His defensive skills aren't that great. He isn't a great field kick.

Maybe I'm being picky, but there are area's he can certainly improve on.

you are being picky