Johnson's efforts tonight

[jockey-sized midfielder]

I thought Sugar's efforts tonight should be commended. Although he was average in the first half, he ended the night with 26 Dan Murphies, 5 tackles and was very servicable on Judd along with DJ. It was a real captains game, spending a majority of the time on the turf winning the hard ball for our many recievers.

Opinions?

 

[Kyusss]

So sick of the johnson baggers its pathetic
His our captain
he gives his all
and he was good again

 

[RichosGuns]

Easily the most consistant player for the entire game. Had probably his best game in two years, really impressive. Showed alot more leadership along with Newman, Foley and Pettifer who's leadership I was particully impressed with.

Probably wouldn't be far from Brownlow votes but Richo, King, Foley, Brown and maybe even Thorton might steal them

 

[anti.]

i thought newman showed real leadership qualities in tonights game. next captain for sure.

 

[budge11]

I havn't read much on this board, were a few people doubting his ability for this year?

 

[Tigersman]

I thought his game was par.

 

[anti.]

I havn't read much on this board, were the majority of tigs supporters doubting his ability throughout his richmond career?

edited for accuracy.

 

[_Wang_]

I havn't read much on this board, were a few people doubting his ability for this year?

He gets a bagging all the time on this board...
He stood up tonight and played very well,Not awesome but consistent.

Onya Sugar

 

[richcogs]

Yes best game he's played since I can remember! Good on him, keep it up Johno!

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

Played a great game tonight - reminded me of his effort against the Bombers in Rnd 21 last year.

 

[polakthetiger]

C'mon fellas...serviceable at best. This is the captain we are talking about and should be compared to other captains. As already mentioned, a good 2nd half...but...

Although not as bad as last year, he start was comical again. He started on the bench. maybe not his decision, but hey, if I was capt, Id be saying to Terry, fk that! He came on, takes the ball on the HBF, does one of his circles, gets surrounded, handballs to a player under pressure who naturally loses possession, loose ball that a Bluse player picks up, and Jonno procedes to flop into his back. Rookie stuff imo He lifted from there though.

He obviously has good leadership skills, because his football skills and decision making on the field are average imo. Still naturally in our best 22 though MT!

He tries his guts out and no doubt is enjoying a few coldies with the group after a good win. Pretty average games by alot of players that can play much better...

which is very good sign considering there is still a fair bit of upside on that performance Might predict a 6 win season now!

 

[Rayzorwire]

C'mon fellas...serviceable at best. This is the captain we are talking about and should be compared to other captains.

Really stole the show again with his 'let's canter backwards' first instinct and handball at a teammates feet effort. What a champ old sandbag is.

The writing on the wall gets a foot higher every season.

He does have courage, I'll give him that, but he's sooooooo slow from brain to disposal in tight, sooooo slow on his feet in space, he's a serious liability.

Wish it were otherwise.

 

[sante]

Was very good IMO. Played his best in a while.

 

[oxx]

Really stole the show again with his 'let's canter backwards' first instinct and handball at a teammates feet effort. What a champ old sandbag is.

The writing on the wall gets a foot higher every season.

He does have courage, I'll give him that, but he's sooooooo slow from brain to disposal in tight, sooooo slow on his feet in space, he's a serious liability.

Wish it were otherwise.

shit man

 

[Wallaby]

He does have courage, I'll give him that, but he's sooooooo slow from brain to disposal in tight, sooooo slow on his feet in space, he's a serious liability.

Wish it were otherwise.

Too true. First half - whenever he got the ball, we slowed right down while he thought about the right thing to do. His pace is not good. Having said that, he usually made the right decision, but by then we had lost the momentum of the move.

Interestingly, he spent some time in the centre square after half-time, and his clearance work was outstanding. No foot speed required - just clean hands and quick disposal. Very good.

Maybe that is his future - play just as a centre square specialist. How did he go as a tagger last night (I'm not sure who he was on).

 

[krustyman]

Johnson looked a bit slow at times but had a good game, he got himself in good positions, and need to build up his stamina.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Was very good IMO. Played his best in a while.

Agree with sante. Very solid; made my votes.

 

[duckboy]

Easily the most consistant player for the entire game. Had probably his best game in two years, really impressive. Showed alot more leadership along with Newman, Foley and Pettifer who's leadership I was particully impressed with.

Probably wouldn't be far from Brownlow votes but Richo, King, Foley, Brown and maybe even Thorton might steal them

Couldn't agree more with this post. Was fantastic tonight. Many forget he toughed out ost of last year playing with a broken hand which lead to much of the fumbling and errant disposal that he was criticised for. As Mark Williams would say

"Madtiger, you were wrong!!"

 

[jockey-sized midfielder]

When the game was there to be one, he was the one getting the hardball gets

 

[hazza05]

played the 17 jumper as are leader for the first time

 

[Rayzorwire]

Many forget he toughed out ost of last year playing with a broken hand which lead to much of the fumbling and errant disposal that he was criticised for.

The worst part of his game last year by far was his kicking duck, his handball, tackling and ball gathering wasn't too bad, so I've always been mystified when the broken hand is used as an excuse for his performances last year.

His tackling in the centre square last night gave us a bit, but I shudder when he gets the ball in his hands. Even when he hasn't made a clear error, the fact that he can't put the ball to the advantage of a teammate by foot invariably means a turnover anyway.

He'll be doing a lot of handballing this season. Each year his handballs to kicks ratio creeps up a bit further. Started out in 2003 with us having 283 kicks and 154 handballs, last season he was up to 243 kicks and 197 handballs, last night he had 18 handballs and 7 kicks.

Clearly the coaching staff would increasingly prefer he dished off to a designated kicker. Last night, aside from one or two kicks to a player on his own in a paddock of space, every time Johnson kicked to a contest it resulted in an immediate turnover.

 

[CoggaRules]

The rule should be: Only give it to suga if you have no other option. Dont know what happened to this guy, but for some reason doesnt know what an option looks like. Stuffed numerous attacking moves with his limited to no vision.

 

[hiro]

played the 17 jumper as are leader for the first time

Rubbish. Watch more games.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

Is definately in the best 22 if he plays like that every game.
Which could prove you guys wrong.
Also he seemed to be getting in the best most practise games this pre-season too.

 

[Mr Anderson]

The rule should be: Only give it to suga if you have no other option. Dont know what happened to this guy, but for some reason doesnt know what an option looks like. Stuffed numerous attacking moves with his limited to no vision.

Harsh. Watched a couple of his (few) kicks after the first quarter when he did hit targets to advantage over 50m. As mentioned, hard ball gets, quick handballs to advantage and good tackling (not so sexy but essential to a good team effort) were his strong points. The love fest with Chris Newman overlooks a couple of kicks over the head of his targets straight to opposition players which killed great attacking moves, but no one gives him the same grief they give Johnson.