Does Geelong need Johnson flair or Basic approach

[AM]

I'm sorry but there is a difference between 'artistic flair' when required and acts of stupidity. If he took a set shot over his head would that be 'artistic flair' too? If he's on the boundary on under pressure then go for it, but he's one of the best drop punt set shots we have and it should have been a basic shot.

Okay SJ. Let's just say we have entirely different perspectives on what 'artists' bring to the table and where the balance lies between their brilliance and deficiencies.

 

[Leeds17]

With SJ you take the good with the bad.

 

[dazbroncos]

The snap around the corner is one thing. Acceptable most of the time. The banana is that much more difficult again - plus its wet. Just a poor choice a the time.

Yet SJ also makes two k=passes in the f50 that set up goals (one to stokes i think) that were sublime ball control that maybe 2 or 3 p[layers in the comp could make.

For mine he has the license to do it but it was poor choice and he probably knows it. He also tried his guts out all night - and that might be more than can be said for the bottom 12 guys on the stats sheet that night....

GO Catters

 

[Partridge]

The snap around the corner is one thing. Acceptable most of the time. The banana is that much more difficult again - plus its wet. Just a poor choice a the time.

Yet SJ also makes two k=passes in the f50 that set up goals (one to stokes i think) that were sublime ball control that maybe 2 or 3 p[layers in the comp could make.

For mine he has the license to do it but it was poor choice and he probably knows it. He also tried his guts out all night - and that might be more than can be said for the bottom 12 guys on the stats sheet that night....

GO Catters

Johnson's passes to forward 50 (like the one to Selwood) aren't with an entirely different kicking style though.

People seem to think he's at his best when he's doing tricks, he isn't. He's at his best when he does the basics first and foremost - running all day, playing in front, taking the first option and not falling over. When he does the hard work he looks infinitely better.

We're not talking about trying a torpedo punt because he's just outside 50. That's fine. A banana kick from a tight angle is fine. A banana kick in the wet, from a straightforward angle, when I've certainly never seen him do before, is not fine. It's playing for a highlight reel and is complete bullshit, no matter how much spin you try and put on it.

He played a very good game, but stuffing up a straightforward set shot is what will be remembered.

 

[dazbroncos]

Johnson's passes to forward 50 (like the one to Selwood) aren't with an entirely different kicking style though.

People seem to think he's at his best when he's doing tricks, he isn't. He's at his best when he does the basics first and foremost - running all day, playing in front, taking the first option and not falling over. When he does the hard work he looks infinitely better.

We're not talking about trying a torpedo punt because he's just outside 50. That's fine. A banana kick from a tight angle is fine. A banana kick in the wet, from a straightforward angle, when I've certainly never seen him do before, is not fine. It's playing for a highlight reel and is complete bullshit, no matter how much spin you try and put on it.

He played a very good game, but stuffing up a straightforward set shot is what will be remembered.

What I'm getting at is he has more license and skill than most so he gets to do some freaky things. That said, the banana in the wet from that position was too much - a poor choice - and I'm sure he knows it. What I was highlighting with the other examples was that these things kinda go hand in hand and its hard for me to criticise one while praising and marveling at the other. The kick for goal was a bad choice . No doubt. I take all your points and examples to heart - you are right with them.

GO Catters

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

I don't mind the snap from in the pocket but the banana from a 45 degree angle is simply ridiculous.

Absolute brain fade when a straight forward drop punt was the percentage play. I am only a fan of SJ in the middle when he plays more basic footy and resists the high risk plays he has become renown for - turnovers ( and there were a few) in that part of the ground invariably lead to scoring opportunities ( and they did). He did some fantastic set up kicks but the turnovers and missed opportunities ( over the top handball to Motlop) just frustrate the crap out of me.

 

[SpryCorpse]

I think Johnson played a ripper of a game.
Made one error of judgement. Which, I note, may have made no difference at all, i.e. he could easily have missed a drop punt too and it would have been lost amongst the rest of our team's shit kicking at goal.

Well played, Johnno. Great game!

 

[Partridge]

Absolute brain fade when a straight forward drop punt was the percentage play. I am only a fan of SJ in the middle when he plays more basic footy and resists the high risk plays he has become renown for - turnovers ( and there were a few) in that part of the ground invariably lead to scoring opportunities ( and they did). He did some fantastic set up kicks but the turnovers and missed opportunities ( over the top handball to Motlop) just frustrate the crap out of me.

Quite seriously though, given the condition of our midfield right now I think he needs to stay there for the immediate future. At least until Duncan and Christensen (for example) have improved enough to help out Selwood more. He did play a very good game and his endurance is incredible.

 

[Cattery]

He played a very good game, but stuffing up a straightforward set shot is what will be remembered.

Only from those who seem to delight in finding something negative to hang their hats on I'd guess.

For me it will be the bullet passes, the gut busting running and the sheer class of the bloke.

To be honest I can't understand the reasoning behind starting a thread like this, calling into question his value to the team and even his place at the club, at any time, it's even more bewildering coming off the back of a [ arguably ] BOG performance.

 

[Partridge]

Only from those who seem to delight in finding something negative to hang their hats on I'd guess.

For me it will be the bullet passes, the gut busting running and the sheer class of the bloke.

To be honest I can't understand the reasoning behind starting a thread like this, calling into question his value to the team and even his place at the club, at any time, it's even more bewildering coming off the back of a [ arguably ] BOG performance.

Garbage. It's highlighting lapses of concentration in the hope they'll be eradicated from his game. This leads to better games from Johnson and a better chance of Geelong winning.

Everyone has acknowledged Johnson played a terrific game.

 

[Cattery]

Garbage. It's highlighting lapses of concentration in the hope they'll be eradicated from his game. This leads to better games from Johnson and a better chance of Geelong winning.

Everyone has acknowledged Johnson played a terrific game.

Garbage? Just another opinion is all.
If you seriously think that highlighting one mistake will eradicate an aspect from his game that's been there his entire career then more power to you, personally this entire thread is just an excuse for something to whine about IMO.

Sorry if that differs from your viewpoint.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

You have to balance risk and reward / potential punishment. It's football 101 that the closer you are to opposition goal the more defensive and risk conscious you need to be , if you get it wrong high chance of scoreboard punishment. Same applies if you are a midfielder playing in the back half , much less so if you are a midfielder playing forward of centre or playing forward - you take more risks because the reward is higher.
SJ needs to assess where he is on the field and adjust accordingly , he mostly does this but on Saturday night he got the balance wrong on a few occasions.