AFL Player 40: Zak Johnson

[VelvetSledge]

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I have a nostalgic glow having a good, skilled, tough Johnson in the side again. It's been too long.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Plus, it's always good to see balls being caressed by a big Johnson

 

[Laverdeee]

If he can hone in on the defensive side of the game, we've got a 200 gamer. Prior should be out of the side before him when the cavalry return

 

[astrowizzle]

Got straight back up after Charlie Cameron smashed him. Parish or Shiel would've been straight to the bench in tears

Yeah all the times I've seen parish crying on the bench. FFS at least express hatred with facts rather than some fictional story

 

[faible]

Yeah all the times I've seen parish crying on the bench. FFS at least express hatred with facts rather than some fictional story

We've established that poster has had a few knocks to the head, probably a good example for why the league is much more aware of head knocks.

 

[JuniorWatch]

Apparently the big knock on him was that he only went one way. Seems a more than capable defender from what I've seen and the way he uses the ball, could be a big weapon the way the game is played these days. Great get at pick 70.

 

[Agronomus]

Yeah all the times I've seen parish crying on the bench. FFS at least express hatred with facts rather than some fictional story

I have no hatred towards any of the players so what difference does facts or fiction have?

 

[andleanback]

Why can’t we look to get the ball in his hands like we always seem to get it in laverde and McGrath’s hands. We should be actively looking for him to let him use it

 

[faible]

Why can’t we look to get the ball in his hands like we always seem to get it in laverde and McGrath’s hands. We should be actively looking for him to let him use it

Laverde and McGrath work to put themselves in positions to get it, and you don't often see Johnson sitting back behind the play like Laverde does where he tends to be the deepest defender (McKay usually takes that position).

I think Johnson needs to learn how to position himself in the back half to be an option more often, and given his kicking, teammates should be looking to get the ball to him as well.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Why can’t we look to get the ball in his hands like we always seem to get it in laverde and McGrath’s hands. We should be actively looking for him to let him use it

I mean, that was his, what - 4th game?

And he had high 20s last week. Bit early to make summaries of we are, or are not, doing something enough with him haha.

Clarke got a lot of the type of footy last night that Johnson got the week before.

 

[Atavistic]

Why can’t we look to get the ball in his hands like we always seem to get it in laverde and McGrath’s hands. We should be actively looking for him to let him use it

It'd made a lot of sense to distribute the ball through him. Maybe Brad will get it eventually.

 

[andleanback]

I mean, that was his, what - 4th game?

And he had high 20s last week. Bit early to make summaries of we are, or are not, doing something enough with him haha.

Clarke got a lot of the type of footy last night that Johnson got the week before.

I’m more saying we always look to kick backwards to the position laverde is in, when we really should be getting Johnson etc in those positions to moreorless to be the qb kick out the of back half.

 

[Keystone agony]

I’m more saying we always look to kick backwards to the position laverde is in, when we really should be getting Johnson etc in those positions to moreorless to be the qb kick out the of back half.

Lav aint up the field rebounding/breaking lines like ZacJo is so ends up in that position especially when oppo teams usually have a tall as the last link in the chain closest to goal, so he naturally end up there, bit like Zac Reid was pre injury

 

[jannissary]

daresay that he’ll be moved to an attacking halfback once injured players return.

 

[Jobe Watson]

Absolute bargain. Considering where he was drafted, the fact he's even been able to play one AFL game is already a win, but him looking like a future 150+ gamer is a jackpot. Once he learns how to position himself defensively and increases his football IQ we'll have a serious player. His kicking skills and composure are badly needed in this team.

 

[ghostdog]

Serious question because I don't actually know; is Johnson capable of playing Martin's utility role?

 

[jannissary]

starting him as sub was dumb.

 

[jdstorm]

Serious question because I don't actually know; is Johnson capable of playing Martin's utility role?

Maybe. Martin was getting some on ball minutes which Johnson probably isn’t physically ready for.

But as far as playing HB and wing goes you’d say he’d have no issue with it.

 

[faible]

Serious question because I don't actually know; is Johnson capable of playing Martin's utility role?

He’s probably a better kick than Martin in terms of actual ability to hit targets, he just needs to back himself more to do it.

He doesn’t have the tank Martin does (yet) to keep running and running.

Roberts and Clarke also look good up on the wing so a few options to play higher.

 

[Yoda_]

He’s probably a better kick than Martin in terms of actual ability to hit targets, he just needs to back himself more to do it.

He doesn’t have the tank Martin does (yet) to keep running and running.

Roberts and Clarke also look good up on the wing so a few options to play higher.

1st year player as sub has something to do with this jannissary

 

[faible]

1st year player as sub has something to do with this jannissary

We’re not talking about the same thing.

 

[jannissary]

1st year player as sub has something to do with this jannissary

i just don't think he should've started sub, nothing regarding what you were talking about friend

 

[naraku]

I didn't like Zak been the sub, he should ne on the field for the rest of the season. Perkins, Shiel or Gresham should be the subs for the rest of the season.

 

[ant555]

Has already done enough this year to show what he has got and also to experience the level of. I have no issue with the games as sub. He did not do a full pre season either so he will have to be managed a bit.

 

[Zach Package]

Can someone explain the rationale behind Johnson not playing VFL at all and Harry Rowston playing seemingly full game time this afternoon?

Johnson played 25% game time last night and Rowston played 22%.

Yet another example of a missed opportunity for our kids to actually play.