Michael Johnson

[downthecorridor]

With all the trades and consequent anticipation for the dockers rejuvenation for next season, my mind drifted to the somewhat forgotten Michael Johnson.

I have found his play to be both frustrating but brilliant in equal measure but without argument the definition of loyal servant capped off by his All Australian selection in 2013. But that form was obviously from 3 long seasons ago and even then marred by injury late in the season from memory. He always seems to be on the verge of breaking down physically and I can't help but wonder if he should retire early and let the kids play.

Thoughts?

 

[jedi mind tricks]

It depends. If Ross wants Freo to genuinely aim for finals then yes he should play. The guy at his best is our best KB.

If he wants Freo to move up the ladder slowly and rebuild the list properly then he should retire.

 

[Stuart88]

Kind of agree but think we need his leadership, especially for the young defenders

 

[M_rash]

With all the trades and consequent anticipation for the dockers rejuvenation for next season, my mind drifted to the somewhat forgotten Michael Johnson.

I found have found his play to be both frustrating but brilliant in equal measure but without argument the definition of loyal servant capped off by his All Australian selection in 2013. But that form was obviously from 3 long seasons ago and even then marred by injury late in the season from memory. He always seems to be on the verge of breaking down physically and I can't help but wonder if he should retire early and let the kids play.

Thoughts?

I think he'll give it a red hot crack this preseason. Wouldn't be surprised if he breaks down early in the year and makes that decision then. But I remember thinking the same about Sandi. From 2011-13, sandi played 13,12,7 games respectively and looked gone too. He followed that up with 21 and 21 in 2014-15 before getting Nic Nat'd this year.

Different players, different roles. MJ seems more soft tissue related but fingers crossed for him. We've missed him greatly the past few years.

 

[Wee Jessies]

Wouldn't it be like MJ or who ever we can get with pick 120? Rather keep MJ plus he is contracted and keen to play on as I understand it.

 

[meima]

I think he'll give it a red hot crack this preseason. Wouldn't be surprised if he breaks down early in the year and makes that decision then. But I remember thinking the same about Sandi. From 2011-13, sandi played 13,12,7 games respectively and looked gone too. He followed that up with 21 and 21 in 2014-15 before getting Nic Nat'd this year.

Different players, different roles. MJ seems more soft tissue related but fingers crossed for him. We've missed him greatly the past few years.

But 2011-2013 both sandi and mj is at reasonable age where injury recovery is much faster. Manage him , dont think he last too long.

 

[M_rash]

But 2011-2013 both sandi and mj is at reasonable age where injury recovery is much faster. Manage him , dont think he last too long.

Sandi is 2yrs older than MJ, so the age difference isn't too much of an issue. The fact MJ plays as a rebounding defender is the bigger concern.

Would be stoked if we can get even 10 games out of MJ - his experience will be invaluable for the likes of A.Pearce, Collins, Hamling(?) and even for any of our potential HBFers Croz, Weller, Hill. A game of on the job learning is worth a preseason of teachings.

 

[DOCKERZ]

With the new combination of kpb in Hamling and APearce, i reckon MJ's finger pointing will be invaluable next year until they gel.

 

[wayToGo_]

If you go back and review every game we played with MJ in the side and every game we didn't for the past two years and don't see the difference in our structure when he is in the mix versus when he is not I'd be surprised. It's a shame our young defenders haven't had much opportunity to play alongside him because even on one leg, like he was this year, he is still hands down our best defender by a mile imo. We will gain far more through his leadership in every extra game we can squeeze out of him now. Our youngsters will unlikely develop if they are only surrounded by other youngsters.

 

[meima]

Sandi is 2yrs older than MJ, so the age difference isn't too much of an issue. The fact MJ plays as a rebounding defender is the bigger concern.

Would be stoked if we can get even 10 games out of MJ - his experience will be invaluable for the likes of A.Pearce, Collins, Hamling(?) and even for any of our potential HBFers Croz, Weller, Hill. A game of on the job learning is worth a preseason of teachings.

As much as i rated MJ, if his body is not up to it , he should retire , remember when he go down injured against richmond in 2015, instead of on job learning , the whole team is one player short.

 

[meima]

If you go back and review every game we played with MJ in the side and every game we didn't for the past two years and don't see the difference in our structure when he is in the mix versus when he is not I'd be surprised. It's a shame our young defenders haven't had much opportunity to play alongside him because even on one leg, like he was this year, he is still hands down our best defender by a mile imo. We will gain far more through his leadership in every extra game we can squeeze out of him now. Our youngsters will unlikely develop if they are only surrounded by other youngsters.

Like i said , if you injured during game , will cause more injuries to other players as you are one player short. Bulldog could do the same with bob murphy but they just move on with other players to cover their injuries. Team sport .

 

[M_rash]

As much as i rated MJ, if his body is not up to it , he should retire , remember when he go down injured against richmond in 2015, instead of on job learning , the whole team is one player short.

Happily sacrifice that one game for the benefits of the games he can get out there for. Plus we now have a plethora of half back options. A plethora!!! Maybe even a myriad of players to cover him in game. So much depth we need a periscope

Plus think of the knowledge he can pass onto ueber... aka MJ2.0.

 

[mike91]

A. Pearce is still young, inexperienced and coming back from a serious injury
Hamling is still young and played less than 30 AFL games, still inexperienced
Collins is still inexperienced

Johnson stays on all day err day, still easily our best defender and we actually look shit without him

 

[meima]

Hope freo manage the workload of MJ . Another macca kind of ending is no good.

 

[M_rash]

Hope freo manage the workload of MJ . Another macca kind of ending is no good.

Hopefully the same ending as Pav. Win the last game of the year. Against the Dogs. In October. BOOM

 

[meima]

I dont know about other, bulldog kind of cover their backline not too bad this season , bob ,easton wood , adam , suckling ,johaison all go down injured at some time. None got MJ class also.

 

[Arcassius]

As much as i rated MJ, if his body is not up to it , he should retire , remember when he go down injured against richmond in 2015, instead of on job learning , the whole team is one player short.

For the rest of the game. Before that, they were still on the job learning.

 

[meima]

For the rest of the game. Before that, they were still on the job learning.

Agree , i think freo too reliance on mJ will be the downfall. Do you remember the time young mundy and MJ play defence during the old mark harvey days ? Old one dont go new one will never learn to step up.

 

[theGav56]

I think that we are back in contention for finals, and that his leadership and skills will be valuable. Midway through the season maybe a different situation, but for now he is the man.

Replacing him is a legitimate draft question and is one of the reasons I like Rotham and Scrimshaw.

 

[meima]

I think that we are back in contention for finals, and that his leadership and skills will be valuable. Midway through the season maybe a different situation, but for now he is the man.

Replacing him is a legitimate draft question and is one of the reasons I like Rotham and Scrimshaw.

Nobody can really replace MJ , just like cats matthew Scarlett.

 

[mightymouse75]

Let him play. He is a gun and there is still fire in his belly. Will miss him like we miss r. Hayden when he retired.

 

[Freo Dr]

He plays as many games as he can this year as the third tall loose around the back to help with rebound. Pearce and Hamling learn from him and Collins is back up to those two if injured. Probably something like Spurr, Crozier and Tucker round out the back six. Logue or someone like him drafted for development to replace MJ, Ibbo is short term cover. Dawson is back up back up break only in case of emergency type. This assumes we lose SNOS which I see as likely although at present he is still a better player than Collins and way better than Dawson.

 

[StingBitten]

Kinda hard to judge, he's had injury woes now for some time but as his absolute best he's one of the best in the League.

Missed most of this year.
Last year he played every game in our 9 game winning streak and was on absolute fire.
2013 and 2014 played most games and killed it.

It's hard to judge in saying 'he's broken' - if he was 25 we'd be saying 'he's unfortunate'.

If we get our onions in order he'll be pushed to play every game possible. An in form Johnson in the back line means an entirely different Dockers.

 

[Taylor]

He is our most talented defender, one of the most talented players on our list and we haven't drafted or traded in anyone close to his ability so if he is fit he should play.

 

[meima]

This is just my prediction or examppe , he is fit he play , first 4 game freo winning , how much freo miss MJ and the kids learn from him . 5 game a bit sore but freo is winning continue to play MJ , the 6 game broke down like his milestones game . Freo losing a few game without MJ and make the top 8 . Isint it sound a bit like macca story.