For those bagging Steve Johnson

[witsend]

You mean the one that got intercepted?

Dude, your bringing up the GF in '09 has a SJ highlight?.. 'SJ soaked up Baker, so Chapman could win a NS'?!?? are u serious....Baker towelled up Johnson, Chapman won the NS because Chapman is a big game, team orientated, fu%kin gun!!

You're missing the point. SJ was below par in the 09 GF, but he had to be taken by St Kilda's best lock-down player in Baker. If SJ doesn't play, Chapman has Baker for company. And I still maintain it was an act of enormous flair and courage to attempt that kick across ground to Ablett. Sure it could have gone either way, but it didn't and we have a flag to show for it.
Most lesser players would have taken the boundary option.
If SJ is capable of running, turning and kicking he should play even at 85-90%.
Just play him closer to goal. He'll put the fear of God into whoever is on him. He will not be left alone for a moment, trust me.

 

[witsend]

Am i wrong about him playing in that PF? Perhaps others have a better memory.

Correct. he was near BOG in the PF, but as often happens after a layoff from injury (hip operation), the second week is when the soreness and stiffness sets in. Calculated risk we got away with, and as I have stated earlier, it meant Baker had to mind him, which, imo, freed up Chapman for a NS performance.

 

[donbooger]

You're missing the point. SJ was below par in the 09 GF, but he had to be taken by St Kilda's best lock-down player in Baker. If SJ doesn't play, Chapman has Baker for company. And I still maintain it was an act of enormous flair and courage to attempt that kick across ground to Ablett. Sure it could have gone either way, but it didn't and we have a flag to show for it.
Most lesser players would have taken the boundary option.
If SJ is capable of running, turning and kicking he should play even at 85-90%.
Just play him closer to goal. He'll put the fear of God into whoever is on him. He will not be left alone for a moment, trust me.

Agreed even in hindsight I would still have played him in 2009 to take away Baker.

This time though he will need to be more able as Baker was very poor with ball in hand, Obrien is not. A similar Baker like belting by Obrien will end up with 25 damaging possessions the other way. I trust they will make the right decision.

 

[witsend]

Agreed even in hindsight I would still have played him in 2009 to take away Baker.

This time though he will need to be more able as Baker was very poor with ball in hand, Obrien is not. A similar Baker like belting by Obrien will end up with 25 damaging possessions the other way. I trust they will make the right decision.

Yeah. It's a slightly different scenario. The thing in his favour is that he is actually fit. If the knee, as we are led to believe, is structurally sound and he passes certain mobility, running, changing direction and kicking tests, then it is simply a matter of pain management.
It seems he has a high pain threshold and no doubt they will jab him.
My guess is he will play.
Collingwood are in far worse shape than us, as they have players under a direct fitness cloud in Reid and Jolly, and a number of players out of form and fitness...Maxwell, Johnson, Didak, Shaw.