Player Watch Ash Johnson (Delisted 2025)

[JLC]

Surely Ash will get an opportunity at another club?

 

[gouki88]

Sad he never panned out. All the tools in the world

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Unfortunately his long term injury this year gave him zero time to find his best form and therefore no chance to stay on the list.

Had some genuine ability.

 

[Kreme Pie]

Ash could have been anything.
A great highlights reel.
Great wildcard pick up by the club at the time who saw some great potential.
Shame he couldn’t find consistency here.

 

[PiesHateU2]

Such a tough luck story. Showed so much potential early days but really unlucky with injuries.

Having said that, call a spade a spade, did not make the most of the opportunities he was given in the AFL. correct decision by the Pies to delist, hopefully he finds another club.

Just hope this doesn’t have any implications on Bobby’s future though… given Bobby’s tributes to Ash when he was injured, I get the sense the two boys are very close (and not just for the indigenous connection)

 

[jathanas]

Ash could have been anything.
A great highlights reel.
Great wildcard pick up by the club at the time who saw some great potential.
Shame he couldn’t find consistency here.

My sentiments exactly. Of all the delistings so far this year, AJ had by far the highest ceiling.

All the best to him, a beautifully smooth footballer.

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

Only 27 games but some great highlights. Almost two identical banana goals from the same pocket.

 

[Bianconeri]

 

[IlovethePies]

Of all those delisted, I think AJ was the one we should have kept.
Has so much potential
Was mostly injured this year, so didn't get a chance to show anything.

 

[35Daicos]

Of all those delisted, I think AJ was the one we should have kept.
Has so much potential
Was mostly injured this year, so didn't get a chance to show anything this year.

He turns 28 early next month, and I don't think he would have suddenly hit his straps and become a player for us (if retained). There's no doubt he has natural ability, but after being given chances to establish himself a couple of years back he's contributed absolutely nothing since, and quite often his apparent lack of effort (even when playing VFL) has been awful. He really was lucky he was contracted for this year, as otherwise he would most likely have been gone at the end of 2024.

We've had a few players like Ash over the years (Brayden Sier is another recent example), players who looked like they could have been something, but couldn't be bothered!

 

[Scud2]

His time has come and gone. I don’t think he is going to go to another level.
For someone who really didn’t play much senior footy, doesn’t he genuinely have some amazing moments.

 

[Abdul_The_Bull]

He would've been a superstar if he played in the 80s with tonnes of leading space and doesn't need to tackle

Except they were a lot harder and tougher back then so I'm not sure he would have stacked up.

 

[Do_Beta_Rapport]

His time has come and gone. I don’t think he is going to go to another level.
For someone who really didn’t play much senior footy, doesn’t he genuinely have some amazing moments.

Agree.

Has a good amount of talent but he’s had his shot at the big time. In 2022 when he kicked 4 against Melbourne, I thought we’ve got our 3rd ‘tall’ fwd for the next decade.

Wasn’t to be. All the best AJ.

 

[jimmy35]

Sad he never panned out. All the tools in the world

So he’s off to Carlton you say.

 

[Tadpole]

So he’s off to Carlton you say.

Nah. They’re already over stacked in the tool department.

 

[gouki88]

So he’s off to Carlton you say.

Curnow replacement?

 

[Mollythedolly]

Of all those delisted, I think AJ was the one we should have kept.
Has so much potential
Was mostly injured this year, so didn't get a chance to show anything.

Hopefully a sign well gives Howes another year.

 

[Len Smith Medallist]

Amazingly good skills but big gap between best and worst. I dread AJ playing to his peak against Pies but wish him well every other time.

 

[jmac70]

Hopefully a sign well gives Howes another year.

Jen said Howes might be delisted.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Of all those delisted, I think AJ was the one we should have kept.
Has so much potential
Was mostly injured this year, so didn't get a chance to show anything.

The injury was probably the last straw but it’s a tough ask to hold on to a 28 year old in the vague hope that his potential will be realised

 

[Abdul_The_Bull]

Amazingly good skills but big gap between best and worst. I dread AJ playing to his peak against Pies but wish him well every other time.

I can't see AJ being picked up by another AFL team.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Loved marking the ball with arms fully extended. Glad I watched those highlights as my memory of him was his VFL ball showing effort and then what he produced in 2024.

 

[rand corp]

Thanks for the memories Ash. Another one of those players that burns brightly and briefly like a shooting star, and when it's over, you're left thinking 'oh what could have been'.

 

[windchimes]

He was superbly talented and therefore produced some incredible moments and glimpses, however could only put together a fleeting run at the top level.

I will never forget those phenomenal identical goals against the Blues and Cats in consecutive weeks from that pocket. Will always associate him with the great memories of our exciting blitz of form late in 2022.

All the best to Ash.