C.Johns , finally under the roof

[Longy413]

Thought you'd no better than that.

 

[M29]

Thought you'd no better than that.

It was such a convincing story. It even had a full colour picture of him crashing through the surf at lorne, like he was some bohemouth oil tanker ripping through some greenpeace vessel with a load of hippies on board. The one accompanying the article was him walking the along the beach wearing sandals like he was moses.

 

[whitelinefeva]

Johnsy presented, that's all you can ask of a bloke in his 4th AFL game. He busted packs and tackled hard, but his second efforts weren't the greatest but hopefully that will come with match fitness. Dropped an easy chest mark, but took a pearler above his head so that evened out. Glass is a top full back, with supreme athleticism for his height so Johns was set a tough task in his first game back at the top level.

He is no replacement for Lloydy, but at the moment he'll do. If he can work on his set shots and pace over 20mt he'll improve greatly. Just couldn't get a burst on Glass today.

 

[DaSawx]

2nd best FB going around at the minute.

after Fletch

 

[windyhill]

Port. Last chance saloon. They are going just as bad as us , it`s only fair we see how he goes against a fellow struggler. Today ? 4.5/10.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I thought he looked good today. He got away from Glass a couple of times which is no easy feat. Is his set-shot always that bad though? As a FF he needs to nail those goals because he won't always get more opportunities (especially with that Essendon midfield).

 

[windyhill]

Kicking action so, so wrong.

 

[whirl]

Pre game I had three hopes for his game today.
1. That he would kick a couple of goals
2. That he looked more like a player
3. That he didn't get injured.

He got a pass on 2 I felt, and naturally 3. If he hadn't of inexplicably dropped that chest mark he probably would have got 1 too (should have anyway with one of his other shots on goal).

 

[buzza08]

Send John's Back to Bendigo. What an embarrassment, can't mark, can't kick to save himself. Sounds like Scotty Muller in the OZ Cricket Team. Sheedy must be blinded by stupidity, continually showing faith in this individual. Yet again, opportunities lost by persisting with this overrated nobody.

 

[iDon]

One of the worst drop marks by an AFL footballer I have seen, he was at least 5 metres in front of him. Kicking is also a bit of an issue, hopefully its only first few game nerves.

-Mav

 

[Bomaz_Magic]

That mark he took showed if he has what it takes, and anyone who saw him play for Benidgo a few years bacj when he kicked 8.10 in the one game wouldn' be calling him a talentless hack, generally when you have played one full game in 2 years your set shot 'aint that flash.

 

[Longy413]

8.10?

 

[M29]

generally when you have played one full game in 2 years your set shot 'aint that flash.

What does he do at training then?... He's a 'footballer' for sake.

 

[Andrew_5]

The fact is he has played 4 games (and yes he had BIG wraps on him) so hes still learning how to play the game, but what I saw today he is very unfit, i still saw something that might suggest that he would be a good player, but then wouldn't suprise me if the game has past the kid...

 

[djharps]

so when is he due for his next season ending injury? im predicting a shoulder or kneen reco

 

[dodgyJim]

Let's not forget that Johns was filling the void left by a guy who normally kicks a few and takes the best defender with him or is usually double teamed.

Put Lloydy in the side and Johns who, as earlier mentioned, is only playing his 4th game would then probably get the 3rd best defender. I think this would give a true indication as to where he stands.

I think he did OK today. The dropped chest mark was pretty ordinary, he should've taken that one. Some of the delivery that was coming down to him was awful, several times the kick was just popped up in the air and he was never going to cleanly get it.

I liked some of the crashing and bashing he did, some of his tackles were fantastic. Was lucky not to give a couple of frees away, ripped a few of them around the neck.

 

[DaSawx]

so when is he due for his next season ending injury? im predicting a shoulder or kneen reco

I'm looking forward to someone putting away your season

 

[Smokin]

geezus Christ, give the guy some time. If anyone seriously expected miracles by the kid, after what he has gone threw and in his FOURTH game, your kidding yourself and must be very niave.

With the amount of footy he has missed, he is going to take 12 months of consistent playing time to get back in the groove. Heck, experienced footballers who miss a season take a season to get back to their best. This guy has played 4 games... and in his fourth game was the KEY forward!

Patience.

 

[koc#41]

Yeah and the others he struggled with. Those 4 possessions were pure QUALITY.

VFL superstar at best. Can tackle, that's where it ends.

CAN LEAD
CAN TAKE A MARK

with a bit of teaching from Lloydy he'll learn how to kick goals, he will be a great player for us i think, has natural talent and a bloody big body, almost the size of J.Brown

 

[Karlostj]

Send John's Back to Bendigo. What an embarrassment, can't mark, can't kick to save himself. Sounds like Scotty Muller in the OZ Cricket Team. Sheedy must be blinded by stupidity, continually showing faith in this individual. Yet again, opportunities lost by persisting with this overrated nobody.

Johns kept us close...

It meant that Hunter couldn't go forward as he had to pick up Lucas. He dropped one easy mark and missed a couple of goals - but so has lloyd in the past..

He didn't get beaten in any contests, with him either marking or bringing the ball to ground. That is pretty good considering he had one of the better full backs in the comp on him and it was his 4th game of AFL....

certainy not embarrassing...

 

[Karlostj]

CAN LEAD
CAN TAKE A MARK

with a bit of teaching from Lloydy he'll learn how to kick goals, he will be a great player for us i think, has natural talent and a bloody big body, almost the size of J.Brown

I believe Brown got 5 goals in his first 13 games for the lions...

Not many players come in and dominate at the out set and kick 3 goals plus a game.... Johns did well and should stay in the side.

 

[ant555]

Send John's Back to Bendigo. What an embarrassment, can't mark, can't kick to save himself. Sounds like Scotty Muller in the OZ Cricket Team. Sheedy must be blinded by stupidity, continually showing faith in this individual. Yet again, opportunities lost by persisting with this overrated nobody.

He's Rubbish.

Please spare me the 'oh he has come back from hip surgery' excuse. I doubt whether his zimmer frame got in the way of that simple chest mark he should have taken.

Talk about a stupid response. So he dropped on real easy chest mark. It is not like no one else in the AFL has ever done that.
Maybe if our rather unskillfull midfield could kick the ball into the forwards when they make a break on their opponents and not hold it then put it in the air over their heads where the backs can easily spoil it we may score some more.
Johns led beatifully several times only to have the ball passed to him too late. Lucas has suffered the same fate as well and has been spoiled regulary because of it. It would be nice if one day we could hit the forwards mid lead when they are in the clear a few times.
Johns will be OK. He isnt Dermie or Brown for that matter but he will be good for us. His kicking does have some room for improvment.

 

[jcraw1]

CAN LEAD
CAN TAKE A MARK

with a bit of teaching from Lloydy he'll learn how to kick goals, he will be a great player for us i think, has natural talent and a bloody big body, almost the size of J.Brown

I was at the game and made a point of watching him closely. I'm satisfied with his game, although that dropped chest mark that everyone mentions does stand out. However, he also should have been rewarded by that stupid umpire wearing #24 (not sure of his name) for some of his ferocious tackles on some of the Eagles backmen. The guy is definently strong.

His leading was good, but our midfielders let us down more than Johns with their delivery into the forward line. Despite strong leads the incoming ball to Johns was constantly either chopped off or went over his head when he was at full pace, things which hopefully will improve.

I dont know if he'd ever turn out to be a superstar, but I think he can be solid. I hope he stays in the side.

 

[wazzabp]

I reckon he showed some good signs on Sunday, he provided leads, layed a couple of tackles and got involved in the game. Its good to have a big strong bloke like that who will provide a contest. He'll certainly get better if hes given a solid run of matches for Essendon and stays injury free.

 

[mad-bomber]

Thought he was good considering not having played a lot of footy in the last couple of years, and not playing too many games this year either. That chest mark was a miss that stands out but just comes down to confidence and being used to the big time. Thought the strong lead, big leap and very strong one grab mark he took after that was excellent and a highluight for him. Another game on Saturday night under the roof at the Dome will do him the world of good.
He provides a target up forward, with a strong lead and has the defensive tacking and pressure to keep the ball in the forward line.
Did see at one stage though in the last quarter when the eagles got a bit of a run on when Dimmatina came out and signalled to Johns to go down back and flood. Lloyd would have done that himself without needing prompting from the coaches/runner. Just think he will learn these things given time.
Without Lloyd there and barring any injuries or really poor form, I cannot see Sheeds dropping Johns for the rest of the year. If Sheeds is true to his word of giving the young guys a game, he will keeps Johns there.