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Michael Johnson

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MJ has been a great for our club and arguably was our most important player when we were challenging. As much as I'd love MJ to be at his best next year it's likely he'll be half the player he was. If we do get Hamling I feel he's one poor game from being dropped, pretty much the same deal as Barlow this year. That said, I hope he does stays injury free and goes out in style.
 
Johnson was that brick in the back half now made famous by McGovern at the slime, Easton Wood, Josh Gibson et al. IMHO he's still the best person for it at our club and should walk back into the best 22 when fit. That being said, given his age we need to be developing his replacement. And that's Hamling for mine (maybe APearce) - so 2017 to be a handover year. Master and apprentice...
 

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My guess would be that since our season was over this year he's been on a program intended to have him ready for us to have a crack in 2017. Same goes for Bennell, the long view.

Maybe he'll come back like Sando, or maybe he'll break down again. Who knows, but if it were less than a 50/50 chance, I reckon he'd have pulled the pin already. Hell, if the club thought it was less than 50/50 he'd have been given the opportunity (advised) to do so.

I'd note that Hamling can't do what he does.
 
Where does this myth that MJ is no good 1-vs-1 come from? In 2014 he was our best 1-vs-1 defender (according to Champion data he was 6th best in the AFL that year). And someone else mentioned his kicking wasn't that good yet in 2015 he was the best kick of all rebounding defenders (with a +10% kick rating). And he was of course one of the best interceptors as well. No denying he has dropped off a bit from his best but not to the point that he is behind our other defenders.

When we've lost him the past two years, it's been a massive loss. Realistically we aren't going to find a single player to replace him, so I'd be sacrificing the negating role a bit next year so we can play Johnson alongside guys that can provide the intercept and rebound via both kick and run. If we can learn to slingshot in 2017 (under MJ's tutelage), then once he retires we can add in an extra negating KPD and hopefully have the right balance in the back 6. It's why I keep harping on about us getting Cedric Cox as I think his kicking and running skills are exactly what we need in a player post MJ. Rotham (or perhaps Logue) would be the other, as a MJ/Mundy hybrid replacement who could play half back in an intercept capacity and possibly play inside mid if he can improve his contested side. Rotham/Logue + Cedric Cox = Johnson with more speed imo.
 
Michael Johnson has been our PLus one(and excellent at that) in the backline. he isn't as effective when he has to man up someone. besides his soft tissue concerns he has a suspect back. he will do an Elvis and be good for first half of season then go down hill. We have coverage
 
wehavethepassion said:
Michael Johnson has been our PLus one(and excellent at that) in the backline. he isn't as effective when he has to man up someone. besides his soft tissue concerns he has a suspect back. he will do an Elvis and be good for first half of season then go down hill. We have coverage
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Absolutely spot on .
 
Our creativity from defence was the worst part of this season. Johnson missing was a big part of it (as well as Duffield and McPharlin's retirement).

If he's fit he plays. The only issue is: will he be fit?
 
igon value said:
Our creativity from defence was the worst part of this season. Johnson missing was a big part of it (as well as Duffield and McPharlin's retirement).

If he's fit he plays. The only issue is: will he be fit?
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What if he is fits he play and suddenly he is not freo dont knoe how to play without him . Just plan to play without johnson in NAB is the first step . Instead of depend on him , croz, weller can be the one be creative.
 
meima said:
They are taking a risk , nobody yet know how well yet hawthorn do next season.
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The moves where necessary to rebuild the list, everyone could see the Hawks slowing down.

With the monster GWS project the smart clubs are been aggressive, as once they peak it won't be a good sight for the competition.
 

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I can't see him lasting more than a dozen games. I'll roll him out twice a month, only in good weather. Luckily we'll have plenty of Sunday alvo games given our 2016.
 
DOCKERZ said:
With the new combination of kpb in Hamling and APearce, i reckon MJ's finger pointing will be invaluable next year until they gel.
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Freo - MJ2.jpg

Have missed MJ dearly, really hope he can put in a vintage performance next season.
 
Pusswah said:
Because he's been the creativity, clean disposal and drive we've been missing out of the backline.
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This. At a club function a few months back Eastaugh identified losing MJ as the single biggest loss for the year - yes, ahead of Fyfe and Bennell! (pipe up if you understood him differently beetz). Our transition was adversely impacted, compounded further by the retirements of Luke and Duff and the difficulties of implementing the new game plan.

Given how the game is evolving it's little wonder why GWS are so desperately keen on Andrew McGrath to replace Heath Shaw, for the role of an intelligent and skilled distributor from the half-back line is now the quasi-equivalent of an NFL quarterback .
 
Dormammu said:
This. At a club function a few months back Eastaugh identified losing MJ as the single biggest loss for the year - yes, ahead of Fyfe and Bennell! (pipe up if you understood him differently beetz). Our transition was adversely impacted, compounded further by the retirements of Luke and Duff and the difficulties of implementing the new game plan.

Given how the game is evolving it's little wonder why GWS are so desperately keen on Andrew McGrath to replace Heath Shaw, for the role of an intelligent and skilled distributor from the half-back line is now the quasi-equivalent of an NFL quarterback .
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Which function was that?

I agree though and have said previously that MJ is arguably our most important player. However, I wouldnt bank on him seeing the season out unfortunately.
 
meima said:
What if he is fits he play and suddenly he is not freo dont knoe how to play without him . Just plan to play without johnson in NAB is the first step . Instead of depend on him , croz, weller can be the one be creative.
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Crozier and Weller don't have only just begun an apprenticeship and are nowhere near ready, but clearly have capacity. Johnson will be the best way to fast-track their development.
 

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igon value said:
Our creativity from defence was the worst part of this season. Johnson missing was a big part of it (as well as Duffield and McPharlin's retirement).

I think people forget how much we loved using Duffman as a transition specialist. Him and MJ left big wholes that hopefully Croz/Weller/Tucker can use.

As for MJ I think he's best 22 easily. Hope to see him play close to 15 games this year but probably will only play subi games. I really hope he doesn't get injured during the season as he's someone who deserves a proper send-off game.
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Ideally, we'd have Johno on the park for the whole year and have a big send off at the end. But his body is stuffed, we'll see how many games he is good for.

He has been the flag bearer for the indigenous at our club, while he could go and get a career in banking or buy a farm etc I am presuming that he ends up at Clontarf or is part of Freos indigenous program, maybe involved in our academy program. I think his future off field work is going to be more valuable to Freo than his career as a player.

Does anyone know if he's been doing any study or coaching certification?
 
Roger Haden has the role at Fremantle of mentoring the boys and does a great job . Michael would be welcomed by Clontarf and Gerard once he retires. Michael has earned the praise of not only Freo fans but also of opposition players, fans and coaches
 
theGav56 said:
Crozier and Weller don't have only just begun an apprenticeship and are nowhere near ready, but clearly have capacity. Johnson will be the best way to fast-track their development.
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The problem is once johnson gone , freo back to square one. Look how freo ruck without sandi look . Players so get use to the surrounding that they dont know how to adapted when something different occurred.
 
meima said:
The problem is once johnson gone , freo back to square one. Look how freo ruck without sandi look . Players so get use to the surrounding that they dont know how to adapted when something different occurred.
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I think we have options. Dawson pretty much coached the defence when he/Ross arrived at the club, and we may still have Silvagni. Ibbotson too. I also think Mundy to the backline is a pretty appealing option now that we are going to have significantly deeper midfield options.

Hamling has come in since your post, and is actually a bit of a newbie at AFL level, but he is a mature newbie.

I am not saying that our backline is not a work in progress, in fact the entire 22 and structure is. But we are nowhere near being at square one.
 

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