Cats won't sack Johnson

[Big Nasty]

Bloody media are turning Geelong into villians.

 

[gokangas]

Geelong couldve easily given Johnson the easy way out with a fine. I think they have done the right thing by giving him community service. And a good amount too.

Hard one to work out a reasonable punishment. He effectively has been given half an hours community work a week for two years which seems very soft first up. But I am not sure what else would have been better. I still think there should have been a fine (the ultimate ouch) as he obviously doesn't learn. But I don't think a suspension was appropriate.
Tough decision to make - the main thing is lets hope he learns his lesson before he kills someone.
Good luck for the season cats fans.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Serious as a road crash at 78km/h above the speed limit.

Didn't happen.

Anyway, Darren Millane board.

 

[Copernicus]

No one is blindly defending him - but there are a few folks on here who seem to be suggesting we should sack him, which is just as ludicrous as those who would defend him. He made a mistake and was a ********, but he's not going to be sacked for it and we're well within our rights to justify that.

 

[Cohzee]

Serious as a road crash at 78km/h above the speed limit.

I'm still waiting for the crash... long road 'ay?

 

[WC Eagles FC]

now don't get me wrong here I am not saying that what dog did was ok. It wasn't. But where he was speeding was in parklands at night that were deserted most likely. I just think people are getting a little too emotional about it when they start saying "Think of the children!" Take a chill pill and don't get sucked in by the hype over this non issue. The club has dealt a suitable punishment and he will most likely lose his license. Justice has been done. I am sure things like this happen often where dog was booked as why would the cops be sitting there if it wasn't known for drivers speeding down that road. Again, doesn't excuse dog for what he did, but mate we all speed at some stage and we all get caught every now and then. That doesn't mean we and dog deserve the kind of crap that people like you are dishing up. Sorry didn't mean this to turn into a rant.

Thats cool mate. Wasnt here to stir at all. Honestly after the hell we went through I just dont want to see a good club like Geelong have similar events happen - we started with guys speeding from the cops - Q. Lynch and went down hill from there. Thats all sorry if sounded as if trying to stir the pot.

If we get our full fit team out there would love to see another Eagles vs Geelong grand final with the real top 2 teams playing not the pretenders from Port.

Once again mine was more concerned post and no wouldnt want to have Johnson at Eagles thanks have Ash Hansen so to the poster who thinks that is all we want.

 

[catempire]

and no wouldnt want to have Johnson at Eagles thanks have Ash Hansen

Are you havin' a larf?

 

[charlie4prez]

heya, they is is the most recent article about the punishment handed down on the fox sports web site:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23094697-23211,00.html

now correct me if i'm wrong but isn't the photo of 'steve johnson celebrating 2007 premiership' in fact not steve johnson at all but ryan gamble? You'd think they could recognise the 2007 Norm Smith medalist wouldn't you?

 

[catempire]

Regardless of time or place 78km/h over the speed limit is irresponsible, reckless and down-right effin' stupid.

Yep

Coming from a repeat offender.

Wrong

a little "community service" is a disgracefully weak punishment.

Why? What are we trying to achieve here? Education? Tick. Deterence? The humiliation, loss of licence and heavy fine will achieve that. Tick.

A $2500 fine per km over the speed limit would be a start.

We have a legal system to deal with the breach of the law. Funnily enough, we don't assign ordinary members of the public arbitrary penalties for breaches of road rules. We won't here either.

Here's hoping the magistrate adds a little harshness to his penalty

On what basis? He should be dealt with according to the law, with no additional leniency or harshness. Being a footballer is not a crime.

 

[CF]

oops I made a mistake. I stand corrected. Apologies to the Age

 

[catempire]

Actually mate, it was indefinite. It was to be reviewed after round 5, which it was and was then was lifted.

See:

Geelong's Johnson suspended indefinitely
January 8, 2007 - 6:01PM

Errant Geelong forward Steve Johnson is on "his last opportunity" after the AFL club suspended him indefinitely.

Johnson must train and play with the club's VFL side until at least round six of the upcoming regular season after his double-indiscretion.

Police arrested him for public drunkenness in his home town of Wangaratta on Christmas Eve and Johnson then took more than a week to tell the club.

The Cats looked at trading Johnson at the end of last season and significantly, his team-mates played a major role in deciding on the punishment for his latest off-field incident.

"Steve has been given numerous chances and it is fair to say that he is now down to his last opportunity to prove that he wants to stay with the club," said Cats football manager Neil Balme.

"We understand that young people make mistakes in all walks of life, this includes AFL players.

"We do believe in allowing people to grow, learn from their mistakes and mature.

"We have provided ample opportunity for Steve to display the behaviour that we expect from all of our players - the ball is now firmly in his court to prove that he is worthy of a return to the senior group."

The club will not review the suspension until round six, at the earliest.

Christmas Eve was the second time in 18 months that police had charged him with being drunk in a public place.

He also badly damaged an ankle in 2002 while jumping a fence at a pub in Torquay, another incident where alcohol was a factor.

The ankle continues to be a problem for Johnson, a highly-skilled forward.

Johnson is potentially one of Geelong's most important players, but the punishment shows the club has lost its patience.

Geelong had to wait to decide on the penalty, after first learning of the Christmas Eve incident last week, because several top officials were still on holidays.

The Cats were expected to make the announcement on Tuesday, but regarded the matter serious enough for immediate attention.

After a disastrous season last year, Geelong is desperate to improve quickly and project itself as a disciplined team.

In making the announcement, the club added: "the player leadership group was given the responsibility of working through this issue and their recommendation was accepted by the club.

"He will not be invited back with the senior squad until such time as he proves that his attitude and behaviour have changed and that he is willing to be a responsible and contributing member of the club."

The Cats also said Johnson had accepted his penalty.

 

[carntheroos4eva]

Still is disappointing. I wouldn't have thought that Steve Johnson would actually go and do these stupid things especially after his indefinate suspension last year after getting caught drink driving.

 

[betchsta]

heya, they is is the most recent article about the punishment handed down on the fox sports web site:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23094697-23211,00.html

now correct me if i'm wrong but isn't the photo of 'steve johnson celebrating 2007 premiership' in fact not steve johnson at all but ryan gamble? You'd think they could recognise the 2007 Norm Smith medalist wouldn't you?

I sure know its not steve johnson thats for sure, As for Vegas not so sure either.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Why was my post deleted?? I have received no reasons or infractions. Wasn't having a go FFS.

I asked if Cats fans think that Cousins should have been sacked. Its not a loaded question, I'm just interested on the opinion on a similar incident when your own team's not involved.

As I said, I agree with the Cats posters and I don't think he should have been sacked.

I know there are lot of di**head Hawks supporters about, there are from every club, but we don't all hate Geelong.

Some people are a little precious...

 

[Ruddeger07]

Agreed it is a long bow and not directly comparing just he has played up a couple of times and just saying seen first hand what bad eggs do to football clubs. Hate to see you guys go through the hell we went through thats all.

Plus imagine if a child ran out in front of the car when he was doing that speed through the 50 zone - least Cuz is only hurting himself with his addiction!!

What if a child had of run out in front of Quentin when he led the cops on a chase in WA about 2 years ago ?

 

[bomba4eva]

Wow, Johnson is a bigger idiot than we all thought. Great footballer, great football mind, genuine idiot though. Pity that he isnt taking many steps off field contrary to what people say.
Hopefullyhe can learn from his mistakes and takes his punishment on the chin. On his last chance?

 

[rizzo]

so a speeding fine is on a par with using illegal drugs now. If speeding makes you a bad egg then I have to confess I must be a bad egg and most of the people I know must be bad eggs just like cuz

you are drawing a very long bow there mate

Agree with you there CF, however in essence the eagles poster makes a valid point re Bad Eggs.

As Geelong supporters we must accept that Johnno will never change. He will continue to dick up. If we can accept that it will be fine. I can cope with Drunken Incidents/speeding fines (I mean aye who hasn't done that), lets just hope this isn't the start of something more sinister.

However comparing him to cousins is just insane.

 

[randyzany]

Johnson it's just a tool, plain and simple. Just by taking one good look at him it's painfully obvious that he ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, who knows maybe he was dropped as baby. The guy needs constant supervision that's for sure, his judgement cannot be trusted and guidance by a mentor for at least the time he spends at the club may be required.

 

[FTW_]

I sure know its not steve johnson thats for sure, As for Vegas not so sure either.

Yeah it's Vegas. On the site that distributes the photos it has it under "Steve Johnson" as well.

 

[tin can sam]

Why was my post deleted?? I have received no reasons or infractions. Wasn't having a go FFS.

I asked if Cats fans think that Cousins should have been sacked. Its not a loaded question, I'm just interested on the opinion on a similar incident when your own team's not involved.

As I said, I agree with the Cats posters and I don't think he should have been sacked.

I know there are lot of di**head Hawks supporters about, there are from every club, but we don't all hate Geelong.

Some people are a little precious...

you lost me.