Note to Steve Johnson.

[Ninty]

Stay in the ****ing forward half. Don't get dragged out further!

That is all.

[edit: I changed from F50 to forward half. )

 

[Vegas.]

Disagree. He does what he wants and he wins us games doing it. These days noone just stays in the forward 50, and Johnson is probably the guy I would want kicking it to a leading forward out of anyone in the whole team. He has magnificent touch.

 

[SJ]

Can we CC: this to Mark Thompson?

I think that is where it would come from.

 

[rizzo]

If he keeps playing the way he is he can run around wherever he wants

 

[Ninty]

Just like his turnover in the back?

I don't rate him getting any touches up the ground. They're useless. He's one of our best forwards with his kicking... Let the midfielders do their job and kick it to him in the F50.

The most frustrating player to watch.

 

[Vegas.]

Just like his turnover in the back?

I learned a long while ago that you have to take the bad with the brilliant from Steve, as the latter outweighs the former. He is a playmaker and a goalkicker. I don't think we should be looking to take away a major part of his role.

 

[darren forssman]

He's one of our best forwards with his kicking..

for goal or kicking to forwards?

his kicking for goal is one of the most frustrating things about him...misses that shot directly in front but then slots one from around 45-50m out or that crazy set shot where he walked to the man on the mark then snaps it (which my dad and me turned and just had to laugh at).

 

[Ninty]

It is indeed frustrating with what he does anywhere on the ground, but he's still better than anyone else with our forwards. I'd rather him stuff up near the goals than do the same for it to be only a turnover for a goal against us.

 

[Vegas.]

If I could be bothered I would go and watch the tape of the Hawthorn game and tell you how many times he delivered a perfectly weighted pass to a leading forward, something which a number of our guys have struggled with, especially this week. He also did it a number of times today. He has incredible skills that will be wasted if he plays solely in the F50.

 

[SJ]

I must admit I tend to agree with Ninty.

We have a midfield chock full of quality. Most of our team are midfielders/half-forwards/half-back flankers that can rotate through those areas.

However, particularly recently, the quality of the goalkickers we have who are able to finish has dried up somewhat.

We have a glut of midfielders who can do the job, I'd rather see Johnson play more forward and less midfield.

 

[Vegas.]

We will have to agree to disagree I suppose, because there will be no changing my mind on this one. I'll admit I don't like seeing him across half back or deeper, but anywhere forward of centre is SJ's domain.

 

[SJ]

We will have to agree to disagree I suppose, because there will be no changing my mind on this one. I'll admit I don't like seeing him across half back or deeper, but anywhere forward of centre is SJ's domain.

Yeah that's what I'm more referring to, as a half-forward being in the centre is fine. But across half-back is a bit of a waste.

Whenever I think of him in the centre I immediately cast my mind back to the 2007 Preliminary Final, where he says 'bugger this', takes it out of the centre and drills it down Chapman's throat.

 

[Ninty]

I wouldn't mind if he came up a couple of times for a run, but I don't want him going any further than the centre... I can agree with him being up around 70 out.

It's just as S"THD"J said though, at a time we seem to be having trouble with our forwards, he shouldn't be let out unless if our other forwards are working.

 

[Vegas.]

Yeah that's what I'm more referring to, as a half-forward being in the centre is fine. But across half-back is a bit of a waste.

Whenever I think of him in the centre I immediately cast my mind back to the 2007 Preliminary Final, where he says 'bugger this', takes it out of the centre and drills it down Chapman's throat.

So you agree with me..? I don't reckon SJ is caught across the half back line too often, really only happens as a result of the mega-flood/zones applied against us. I'm more than happy with how he plays his game.

It's just as S"THD"J said though, at a time we seem to be having trouble with our forwards, he shouldn't be let out unless if our other forwards are working.

My argument is that he gets our forwards going with his excellent delivery. Mooney can be as hot as he likes, but if kicks are going over his head, it ain't working.

 

[darren forssman]

Yeah that's what I'm more referring to, as a half-forward being in the centre is fine. But across half-back is a bit of a waste.

whilst my sc aspirations would disagree i concur.

when he starts drifting into the back half it isnt helping anyone.

that weighted kick of his to rooke today was perfect and would like to see more of.

 

[Vegas.]

Change the OP to 'stay in ****ing the forward half' and we are on a winner.

 

[Glassjaw]

He's gotta stop playing for frees. He's one of the worst offenders.

 

[Ninty]

I'm too tired to argue, and pretty much agree with you anyway... So OP fixed.

Still frustrating when he's trying to play everywhere... He's still best when he's around the goals, but can also do some great passes to get other forwards into the game...

If only we could learn to kick straight...

 

[Vegas.]

I'm too tired to argue, and pretty much agree with you anyway... So OP fixed.

You've done well.

I too am tired and emotional, been a stressful day! First thing I saw when I rocked up was Mitch Brown breaking his leg, then Ottens went down, then that third quarter.

Thank the lord for Stevey J.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Tend to agree. Love SJ but the way he plays he must be in F50 or close to it.

 

[Motormouse]

For me, SJ's brilliance and flair is great to inspire confidence in team mates, but that is best done when the result of said flair is a goal. If he turns 3 players inside out in the backline to shoot the ball forward or switch the play and it breaks down before it gets to the forward line, then it sort of seems wasted.

I prefer to watch him in the forward half, but understand if we need to 'stop the rot' or shift the momentum of play.

 

[CF]

you could tell SJ to play only at Half Forward....but doesn't mean he'd do it

 

[Brasil2007]

If I could be bothered I would go and watch the tape of the Hawthorn game and tell you how many times he delivered a perfectly weighted pass to a leading forward, something which a number of our guys have struggled with, especially this week. He also did it a number of times today. He has incredible skills that will be wasted if he plays solely in the F50.

I agree completely, his ability to pick out a target standing in a crowded 50 is unmatched.

One thing that did frustrate me a bit was a few times when he had the ball in the pocket, there was no one between him and the goals, yet he would run deeper into the pocket rather than towards the goal. Plus he has to get over the play on at every opportunity mindset. I'm not talking about the times when he plays on immediately, but rather when he stops and thinks before continuing. Everyone, EVERYONE, knows that he loves to play on, and they are pretty much always ready for him now!

He's a great player though, and he had a terrific day in the end.

 

[AM]

Don't reckon opposition coaches would be too fazed at seeing SJ hunting kicks in the back half.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Hes got fit..... he keeps running towards the ball....even if it is only to get himself in the game...it can be pretty shit when you fit, fired up....and ready to go... and the ball is not where you want it.... SJ's answer... go and grab it myself... i like it.