BJ - receiver extraordinaire

[The Dawes]

Posted similar thoughts to this last year early on, so apologies for going over old ground.

Interesting to note that Ben Johnson has somehow evolved into an almost pure receiver in the last couple of years.

Only 2 games in this year I realise, but the trend is there - he has a total of 48 possessions in the first two games, of which 6, or 12.5% have been contested.... if you have the skills of a Scott Pendlebury this might be sustainable, but Johnson is nowhere near him with his disposal and if he starts to drop off in this area I can see him becoming a liability if he can't win his own ball.

I know these stats don't give us the whole picture and no doubt they do illustrate that he's running harder to get free more often, but to have to rely on teammates to get you the ball almost 90% of the time is a worry for mine.

Interested in people's thoughts....

 

[smiddaz123]

It's exactly my problem with him. If you're as outside as he is, you have to have have elite skills. He has the opposite.

 

[hotpie]

All of the above. I'd prefer to give Brad Dick a go when Thomas returns for injury. He has more pace and skill than Johnson and is prepared to lay tackles.

 

[mattys123]

Ben Johnson has no chance of being dropped for the next 2-3 weeks.

In 2 games he has gained a lot of possesions, and has dialed down his turnovers.

The reason BJ will also be preferred to other receivers is that he has the potential to play a defensive role, whether it be midfield, forward or back.

If BJ had of been put on Mcleod in Round 1, we would be unbeaten at the moment.

We have some problems at the moment, but BJ wouldnt be in the top 5 for problem players/areas.

 

[hellfire]

Matty, if ANYONE had been put onto McLeod in round 1, we'd be unbeaten. Instead we tried to use 'the force' to curb his influence... didn't work too well.

He is a liability, and apart from his run, he provides nothing. He used to be useful in kicking running goals from 50, but he missed 2 or 3 in the Adelaide game.

 

[shawthing09]

It is certainly a problem. He has always been outside although I think it has been a heap worse in recent years. Long term players will move past him as they get more experinced simply because that is roughly all he has going for him at the moment.

 

[Heater39]

I'm a bit of a BJ fan. I get stuck into him at times but deep down I've got a soft spot for him. I thought he was good against Melbourne-good enough to at least keep his spot in the team.

 

[The Big League]

I thought with a title name "BJ - receiver extraodinaire" this thread was going to be about your personal life. Damn shame

although this did make me laugh

I'm a bit of a BJ fan.

Who isn't?

 

[mdc]

I like how every thread now ultimately degens into one of;

a) We play wide coz we're shit/We're shit coz we play wide
b) ZOMG1! Danny Stanley 4ever/Danny Stanley is the anti-christ
c) Phallic innuendo

 

[The Big League]

I'm sorry for the derailing.
It's like my primary school teacher used to say to me " The Big League, when you sit next to another student and deliberately distract them you not only bring yourself down but them as well, I would like you to think about that"

 

[mdc]

No, I enjoy the phallic innuendo! I just think it's crazy that literally a quarter of our list is impossible to discuss without giggling like schoolgirls.

 

[FloreatPica17]

As an aside MDC, do you think its worth recruiting one of Spadge or Crumpet next year to even the ledger a bit?

 

[beez]

Nominated for thread title of the year

 

[half_back_flank]

The thing thats always confused me about Benny is that has a unique kicking style, yet he has never tried to correct it, despite it being perfect for helicopters and floaters. it is one of the worst kicks in the comp and he hasnt done a thing to help himelf......ive always wondered about it........

 

[Skade]

I recall Buckley saying his strenght was his kicking.