Ben Johnson

[DoubleO7]

What are your predictions for next year regarding this player?

 

[unplugged]

It was implied by Didak that's he's training hard, so you never know. Should probably be his ultimate test come the NAB cup game.

 

[Dave The Man]

Carrier Defining Season - Could be Easily De-Listed or Traded if he does not get back into the Best 22

 

[smiddaz123]

Gone.

The most one sided player in the AFL, and his one side is average at best.

Ever since he put that hit on Daniel Bell and got suspended he has played quite soft and outside, and he doesn't have the skills to pull that role off.

Whenever he gets the ball his first step is to run sideways to the left, without fail. Opposition players just need to show him onto his right side and it's a guaranteed turnover, as opposed to only a probable turnover when he is on his left side.

We have young players who have plenty of potential and upside to be far better value to the team. I'd rather give them game time.

He was a very good player for us once, but he took his position for granted and he lost it, and I believe he'll struggle to regain his position.

I hope others learn from his mistakes.

 

[Keele]

Will have a better season than this year with a good preseason.

All reports from what I have seen say he is really putting in

Runner up in 2 Copelands speaks for itself

 

[The Dawes]

At least he's given himself every chance to play a part this year - I can see him playing pretty regularly in 09... if he gets back to his best he'll be more than handy.

Might be a good cheap pick up for the Supercoach/Dreamteam too.

 

[motr]

If he is in our best 22 by seasons end it can only mean 1 of 3 things.

1. We have been decimanated by injuries.
2. Hine has failed.
3. He has a bigger heart than Pharlap.

He is only with us because he has one year left on his contract.

 

[duds0101]

At least he's given himself every chance to play a part this year - I can see him playing pretty regularly in 09... if he gets back to his best he'll be more than handy.

Might be a good cheap pick up for the Supercoach/Dreamteam too.

Yeah, I hope he has a blinder of a season and puts egg in the faces of his critics. With that said I don't expect much at all.

 

[motr]

If you don't expect much doesn't that make you one of his critics.

 

[duds0101]

If you don't expect much doesn't that make you one of his critics.

How does it? I never said that he is crap etc and should just not be playing and so on. I said I don't expect much - that is my personal opinion also whilst a personal opinion can also be ones critical analysis - I cannot see how that is being a critics just saying I don'y expect much.

Explain how please?

 

[motr]

If you don't have high expectations you obviously don't rate him. Johnson should be at the peak of his career right now, and if he belongs in our best 22 expectations should be high.

 

[duds0101]

If you don't have high expectations you obviously don't rate him. Johnson should be at the peak of his career right now, and if he belongs in our best 22 expectations should be high.

Sure I don't rate him but that is hardly being a critic still.

 

[motr]

Almost there. Why don't you rate him?

 

[duds0101]

Almost there. Why don't you rate him?

Skills and pace. I know that your going to say that makes me a critic but I still see he has potential to prove me wrong. So know I can see where your coming from and yes it is a bit of critical analysis but saying he has potential is not being a flat out critic on him. So I stand my ground on that one.

 

[motr]

I don't see pace as one of his major deficiencies. I think he gets caught because he takes on the man to get onto his preferred foot. His disposal can be at times woeful and highly costly. Surely with the need to create opportunities for the likes of McCarthy, Wellingham, Barham, Corrie and Sidebottom there is going to be little room left in the midfield or in the backpocket for Johnson. Add to this the likelihood that Macaffer and Dick will be pressing for a run up forward there is a good chance Medhurst, Thomas, Didak and Davis are likely to spend more time in the midfield.

If Johnson gets a decent run this year I'll be very concerned about the state of our rebuild.

 

[Kirby]

smiddaz's reply nailed it.

If Ben gets lots of games then our youngsters have failed imho.

 

[Keele]

smiddaz's reply nailed it.

If Ben gets lots of games then our youngsters have failed imho.

Then Wellingham must have failed this season

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I personally hope we make it very, very hard for BJ to get back into the senior side, giving preference to kids who are playing well and taking the initiative.

That way if BJ does get a crack, at least he's earned it and we know he's coming into the side with some red hot VFL form behind him... I'm talking 5 great VFL games in a row at a minimum.

 

[smiddaz123]

Then Wellingham must have failed this season

How? For a second year rookie, he came into the side, put in some VERY impressive performances and earnt himself promotion to the senior list.

 

[Vampire013]

My instinct tells me that Johnson, Heater and Didak will have huge seasons.
Ben Johnson knows he is gone if he does not perform.
People have short memories.
Always love to kick people when they are down.
I still remember how he ran down Burgoyne and saved a goal in one of the finals in Adelaide. Probably won us the game.
Some of you guys are as bad as the idiots calling for Ponting's head.
A fully fit Ben Johnson is a good player.
You can't expect kids to come out and be match winners in their first season.

 

[Dave The Man]

My instinct tells me that Johnson, Heater and Didak will have huge seasons.
Ben Johnson knows he is gone if he does not perform.
People have short memories.
Always love to kick people when they are down.
I still remember how he ran down Burgoyne and saved a goal in one of the finals in Adelaide. Probably won us the game.
Some of you guys are as bad as the idiots calling for Ponting's head.
A fully fit Ben Johnson is a good player.
You can't expect kids to come out and be match winners in their first season.

That was 6 years ago he made that Tackle, I would not call BJ a Matchwinner either

 

[DoubleO7]

My instinct tells me that Johnson, Heater and Didak will have huge seasons.
Ben Johnson knows he is gone if he does not perform.
People have short memories.
Always love to kick people when they are down.
I still remember how he ran down Burgoyne and saved a goal in one of the finals in Adelaide. Probably won us the game.
Some of you guys are as bad as the idiots calling for Ponting's head.
A fully fit Ben Johnson is a good player.
You can't expect kids to come out and be match winners in their first season.

Ponting's captaincy, yes. Lets leave that on the cricket board.

 

[skeetz]

If he isn't still sooking about Tarrant leaving, I think he could be a good inclusion and provide invaluable support to our young midfielders. It's really hard to predict what kind of year we will have next year.
If all our guns fire, we could be pushing for top 4. I would want BJ to be a part of that. I think we would need the experience come September.

But if thing don't go our way....say Josh doesn't perform, Ant gets injured again, Cloke doesn't take that next step etc etc, I would be happy to just blood our youngsters and give full game time IN THE MIDDLE to guys like Pendles, Thomas, Wellingham.
If we aren't going all the way I really don't see the need to keep BJ in the side.
If we are waiting for the younger crop to come though before we really give the Top4 a shake, BJ won't be there to see it, so goodbye thanks for the memories.

 

[Keele]

How? For a second year rookie, he came into the side, put in some VERY impressive performances and earnt himself promotion to the senior list.

I did not say he failed.. I was refering to a quote stating that if Johnson plays a certain number of games next year it will mean the youngsters have failed.

Wellingham played this season and most games were when Johno was playing his 16 games


I would like to add this from the pre season report

Who's burning?
Chris Dawes, finally free of the leg troubles that have plagued him throughout his first years at Collingwood, is reaping enormous benefit from his first-ever full pre-season at AFL level.

The club is also thrilled with the progress of Ben Johnson and Alan Didak, both of whom have impressed with their work ethic and attitude on the track.

 

[Pie eyed]

I personally hope we make it very, very hard for BJ to get back into the senior side, giving preference to kids who are playing well and taking the initiative.

That way if BJ does get a crack, at least he's earned it and we know he's coming into the side with some red hot VFL form behind him... I'm talking 5 great VFL games in a row at a minimum.

What's your opinion if he starts in the 22 and holds his position, which may well be the case?
If this occurs and we are winning we select on merit obviously.
But if this occurs and we are losing do we select on future potential or merit?