Johno Out!

[Deestroy]

From Demons.com.au
In-form Melbourne midfielder Travis Johnstone has been ruled out of this Saturday’s clash with the West Coast Eagles at Optus Oval with a groin injury.

Johnstone has a mild strain of the adductor muscle and could miss up to two weeks. But Demon officials are still hopeful that the star on-baller will be available for the round five clash against the Bulldogs.


After completing his best pre-season since joining the club five years ago, Johnstone was the leading possession winner in the round one victory over the Hawks and backed up with a solid performance against the Power in round two.

He started well in Saturday’s loss to the Tigers, but was hampered by the injury late in the game and spent the last quarter on the interchange bench.

Johnstone is the only injury worry for the Demons, heading into the match against the Eagles, other than Guy Rigoni, who is on the long-term injury list with a back problem.

Luke Williams, Ross Funcke and Michael Clark are in contention to replace the talented midfielder, as is Daniel Ward, who is making faster than expected progress with Sandringham in the VFL, after an interrupted pre-season.

Ward was troubled by hamstring tendonitis over the summer, but was one of Sandrinham’s best in their win over Coburg on Sunday.

Defender Craig Ellis is also a chance for promotion after a strong showing for the Zebras.

 

[Deestroy]

There was also a report on the practice match and this is the part about the Demons players who where playing:

"Thirteen Demons played for the Zebras, with Michael Clark, Chris Lamb, Luke Williams, Daniel Ward and David Robbins most prominent. Ward and Williams in particular were excellent with their run and attack on the ball, booting two inspirational goals each. The vigorous Luke Molan kicked two goals, but his exuberance may have resulted in a report for an alleged high tackle. Simon Godfrey in his first game back from injury was relentless in the first half and David Robbins was everywhere in the second, especially in the hectic last quarter. The hard running Scott Thompson was influential and was always a good option especially when the game was in the balance.

Daniel Breese battled hard early, but team balance and a smaller, nippier opponent saw him spend much of the second half on the bench. Brad Miller contested and presented strongly throughout, while Steven Febey was a good running option before tiring a little in the second half. Craig Ellis coming back from knee surgery was difficult to pass across half back, directed teammates well and will benefit from the tough hit-out."

 

[SPUNKY_MONKEY45]

i figured he would be!
its not good but we can and will cope without him, lets just hope it doesn't get worse like it did last year

 

[Deestroy]

So the question now is who to leave out/bring in. I would still go with what I said earlier in the week and drop 2 out of Robbo, Woe, Broady and Wheatley. While bringing in Ellis, Jolly and one of Ward, Thompson and Williams.

Lets hope Johno is back soon!

 

[SPUNKY_MONKEY45]

Originally posted by Deestroy
So the question now is who to leave out/bring in. I would still go with what I said earlier in the week and drop 2 out of Robbo, Woe, Broady and Wheatley. While bringing in Ellis, Jolly and one of Ward, Thompson and Williams.

Lets hope Johno is back soon!

well definatly drop broady and bring williams and jolly in. thats just me saying that at the top of my head but i think ellis needs another game in the 2nds

 

[Dee]

oh man that totally sucks. oh well it gives the chance for someone else to stand up now. just hope johnno isnt out for too long.

 

[DemonChick22_24]

Poor Thing out. i hope hes better soon!

 

[CowboyFromHell]

I reckon Ellis will get promoted! After a best on field performance, I can't see how they could leave him out.

Jolly in, possible Ward as well, maybe Williams for Robertson. It was pleasing to see good reports on Luke Molan, especially his attack on the footy. He is a prime candidate to pick up where Schwarz will eventually have left off.

Haven't heard a thing about Aaron Rogers though.....is he getting a game at all?

 

[Deestroy]

Originally posted by CowboyFromHell

Haven't heard a thing about Aaron Rogers though.....is he getting a game at all?

He played for the sandy reserves and was struggling aparently.
Also I head Thompson is a chance after a faster than expected recovery.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Originally posted by Deestroy

He played for the sandy reserves and was struggling aparently.
Also I head Thompson is a chance after a faster than expected recovery.

Sorry to hear that about Rogers. He has talent according to Sydney people who have seen him play.

Good news with Thompson.....he has a bit of class about him. Him or Wardy will come in to replace Johnstone in my book.

 

[BT]

Williams? I personally don't rate him & would prefer to see Ward,Thompson,Funcke or Robbins promoted before him. Jolly must come in to support White at Broady's expence I reckon. I'd have Ward (if fit) replace Johnno & perhaps Ellis should come in, not sure who'd make way for him maybe Wheatley?

Of the Forwards I reckon the next in line is Brad Miller perhaps if Ox gets injured he'd be worth a go?

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Originally posted by BT
Williams? I personally don't rate him & would prefer to see Ward,Thompson,Funcke or Robbins promoted before him. Jolly must come in to support White at Broady's expence I reckon. I'd have Ward (if fit) replace Johnno & perhaps Ellis should come in, not sure who'd make way for him maybe Wheatley?

Of the Forwards I reckon the next in line is Brad Miller perhaps if Ox gets injured he'd be worth a go?

To be honest, this is how it should be come the Footy Show....


IN: Ellis, Jolly, Ward.....maybe Thompson.

OUT: Johnstone (inj), Broadbridge, Robertson.

And I reckon Miller wouldn't be a bad option, although it still may be a little early for him. Woewodin will get another week, will be surprised and pissed off if Robbo is not dropped. too many below him playing better.

 

[DEES RULE!]

Well I think Jolly defenetly needs to come in, we don't wanna see Nicho having to move from CHB and go to the ruck again!
I think Wardy or Tommo instead of Johnno will balance the team out and take out Broady and bring Ellis in.

Out: Johnno, Broadbridge and...... ???
In: Jolly, Wardy/Tommo, Ellis


Hope Johnno recovers well, I don't think they should risk him until they are absolutly sure he is 100% fit, we don't want him stuffing up his groin again!

 

[CowboyFromHell]

You can replace those ???? with Robertson.

Sorry, but it has to happen. Robert Walls reckons White should ruck 90% of the game, which is fair enough. Jolly can sometimes go forward then relieve Whitey off the bench or from there.

And Nicho started out as a ruckman Or, so he knows what he is doing.

 

[madboy]

Originally posted by CowboyFromHell
And Nicho started out as a ruckman Or, so he knows what he is doing.

Not necessarily. He might suck at it. May be why he was shifted back (though I'm not saying it is). But he would know what is expected of a ruckman, which would make him a more obvious choice to ruck than a player who doesn't have the same experience.

 

[Deestroy]

Originally posted by madboy
Not necessarily. He might suck at it. May be why he was shifted back (though I'm not saying it is). But he would know what is expected of a ruckman, which would make him a more obvious choice to ruck than a player who doesn't have the same experience.

From what I know he was fairly good at ruck work, and the only reason he didn't continue with it was because we already had Stynes and White for the ruck. He made the decision to change positions based on the fact he wouldn't get a game if he didn't.

 

[CowboyFromHell]

Originally posted by Deestroy

From what I know he was fairly good at ruck work, and the only reason he didn't continue with it was because we already had Stynes and White for the ruck. He made the decision to change positions based on the fact he wouldn't get a game if he didn't.

That is basically what I meant.

He was pretty good at ruck work, but we had too many, so he became a backman. And thank god he did!

 

[DEES RULE!]

Well maybe he was good back in the days, but he obviously lost his touch seeing as he never does any ruck work at training and is very poor in the ruck as of the last few games. Besides he is far too important in the backline, and we can't expect him to shift to the ruck when we have one of the best ruckmans in the comp and a youngster to help him.
If ND doesn't think Whitey is capable to ruck for the whole game than he should bring in Jolly not move our CHB to ruck and than be forced to either not have a CHB or move Neita down there which brings us back to our initial problem.