Paul Johnson

[DanielKerr4]

I thought he played a good game, looked pretty comfortable and not intimidated. I do however, have one criticism, when the ball is kicked forward he doesn't look at all confident when going for contested marks, i didnt see him take one and on some occasions it looked like he just stuck his hand up and hoped to touch it. I really hope we can get that out of his game. But apart from that he looked good. Good option for the future.

 

[GoEagles]

Watched Johnson's game closely last night. Was picked up by Jason Cloke who was one of Collingwood's best players.

Johnson needs to attack the ball a bit harder and go in for more second efforts when the ball is in dispute. I noticed Johnson didn't bend down far enough to reach the ball on several contests in the first quarter, yet in the third quarter got right down and swooped on a ball (before turning like a 747 and scoring a point). He seems to be a confidence player who we need to continue to play in the Wizard Cup for his development.

 

[The Passenger]

Paul Johnson has strange attributes for a big man.

I remember reading a draft profile on him saying that he's a small footballer stuck in a big mans body.

He's great at ground level but struggles in marking and one-on-one contests.

And the few times i've seen him play, and from a lot of the comments on this board by people, those predictions have looked nothing but true....

 

[Altum Volantes]

I remain luke warm on Paul Johnson.

He's got a long, long way to go before we can consider him a CHF or FF solution.

His kicking is bad, both set shots and in play and while he took some good marks on Saturday, he was also beaten easily in contests in which a man of his size should have a good chance of winning.

I've definately currently got more faith in Doogs (despite some poor set shot kicking) but I'm willing to give Johnson a chance, seen as how yesterday's match was only his second game in Eagles colours.

 

[Streaker]

Originally posted by Black Thunder
Paul Johnson has strange attributes for a big man.

I remember reading a draft profile on him saying that he's a small footballer stuck in a big mans body.

He's great at ground level but struggles in marking and one-on-one contests.

And the few times i've seen him play, and from a lot of the comments on this board by people, those predictions have looked nothing but true....

Pretty sure that was Wisbeys profile.

I think that at the majority of the other 15 clubs Johnson would have been groomed as a ruckman rather than a KPP. We seem to have a multitude of players that are his height with better potential in the ruck (Seaby Beeck Gardiner) so it seems his ground level skills make him the better option for a KPP out of necessity at the moment.

In the WAFL in 2003 he only averaged 3.38 marks per game, Hansen on the other hand averaged 6.22 marks per game. I think Hansen has better potential simply because he is more agile than Johnson.

 

[jod23]

Looked ok at CHF but is not yet ready to be the answer to that problem. Expect him to play out the Wiz cup but not figure in the regular season unless injuries hit. But he does look a likely type.

 

[RzrBlade]

I thought Johnson played reasonably well on against Collingwood. He had some good stints, and who can forget that great scrubber of a kick that went through for a goal in the first quarter.

Sure he still has a lot of improvement to go before being considered as an AFL ready CHF option for us, but I enjoyed watching run around the park of saturday night and was glad to see him in the Eagles colours. I hope he shows continued improvement for the rest of the Wizard CUp/pre-season games we have to come and expect him to feature in a few games later on this season.

 

[zero]

i hope johnson does well, if only for the fact that during his debut game last year, i was kind of loudly (but mostly good naturedly) taking the **** out of his inability to touch the ball. in the last quarter i realized the old couple sitting behind me were his parents whoops

wanna see him play some good games for the eagles

 

[Cuneyt]

looks the goodz

 

[Streaker]

Originally posted by zero
i hope johnson does well, if only for the fact that during his debut game last year, i was kind of loudly (but mostly good naturedly) taking the **** out of his inability to touch the ball. in the last quarter i realized the old couple sitting behind me were his parents whoops

wanna see him play some good games for the eagles

His brother has come over to play for Swans this year so he might be sitting behind you this year.

 

[no1bankteller]

Originally posted by West Coast Stre
His brother has come over to play for Swans this year so he might be sitting behind you this year.

If he is anything like Paul I would be saying only nice things about Paul then...or you may make the news...lol

 

[str8khlr]

He's a good size, he should be able to take on and break a pack, but he looked heistant or maybe just a little slow. I was more impressed with Lynch - forget Jacko.

 

[Stakes]

Here is the highly respected Colin Wisbey Profile on Paul Johnson before he was drafted by the Eagles. He makes some very interesting observations even as a youngster that are proving true:


Paul Johnson.

197/96 top-age left-footer (but dual-sided).

Lion-hearted hard-working hard-running large fwd/ruck with special small-man skills but NQR for an AFL tall.

(Forward) style like combination of Molloy (Bris) and Cummings.
(Ruck) style like Primus.

Has small-man skills which a big man has no right to have. Unfortunately, is NQR in some big-man skills which a big man is expected to have.

Will probably go first round but I have serious concerns about whether some attributes and techniques effective for him at U18 level will translating well to AFL level . I do not share the opinion of those who see his future as a versatile ruckman who can also play FF, CHF or CHB. I see any AFL future as primarily a FF (in a role similar to Molloy’s at Brisbane) who can handle forward line ruckwork and can pinch-hit as relief (but not man) ruckman. Against the weight of general opinion, I believe a 2nd round pick is fair and a first round pick is too high a price, given the concerns. Johnson is probably the player who has caused me the greatest grief in assessing AFL potential.

Arguably the standout big man in the U18 Champs series, and certainly in the TAC comp, as both ruck & FF but his competition was generally sub-standard, especially in ruck. At U18 level, Paul is both a delight to watch and an enigma. Has improved quite a lot since last year.

For his size, his straight-line agility is outstanding and his straight-line pace is usually quite good once he has built up momentum. He is exceptionally clean-handed and reliable below the knee even within a pack or through serious traffic. .He is incredibly adept at half-volley pickups at top pace - either takes off the ground or diving marks. He regularly sets up play by charging through traffic, taking the ball amazingly cleanly, then feeding off.

His work ethic is exceptional. He never gives up and he covers a lot of ground. He contests the ruck or marking contest then immediately pushes himself to remain an active participant until the ball is cleared. Even then, he will typically run on, with a sense of purpose, to the next play downfield. His 2nd and 3rd efforts terrific. He will regularly chase hard to try to pressure an opponent. He will regularly throw himself fiercely to smother an opponent’s kick or feed, including smothering the ball off the boot. Stats tell only part of his picture – one-percenters are a big feature. Although Paul is not quick as such, he pushes himself hard to get to, and actively participate in, any contests in which he can play a part. He will run flat out for 40mark just to block for a team-mate. His team ethic is so impressive. He is very unselfish. In particular, he will instinctively block for a team-mate after feeding the ball. He will clear a path & then follow up to present again “just in case”.

And he has terrific evasion skills for a big man.

And he thinks quickly when he has, or is going for, the ball.

And he has great awareness of where team-mates are around him.

…. BUT

… he rarely take contested overhead marks and his current rucking techniques, while regularly successful against most U18 rucks ( who are usually much shorter and/or skinnier) are likely to be exposed at AFL level. It’s not just a technique thing. Paul’s techniques can be worked on and improved to some extent, but the major part of the problem seems to relate to instinct and judgement and that’s why I am not confident he can adequately address my concerns.

And that’s the sticking point, together with the fact that his impressive agility in a straight-line or when he has the ball does not translate to lateral agility when the ball is loose or an opponent has it. In the latter circumstances, Paul has improved a lot since last year but is still cumbersome. It is easy to wrong-foot Paul and his recovery at such times is so slow that the opponent simply runs off him each time.

I see Johno’s best AFL prospect as a leading full-forward who, although not strong overhead, does lead hard and direct, has clean hands in front, and open the forward line up. Not just a Cummings (WCE) but, importantly, also a Molloy (Brisbane) in his ability to create opportunities and protection for other forwards. That, coupled with the ability to manufacture special goals from close in and the danger he presents with any kick for goal within 60mark, are where his real strength lies. That he can at least pinch-hit / relieve in ruck and take the ruckwork deep in the forward line is a plus.

To focus on a few aspects of where he is now:-

Marking:

Is excellent on the lead but rarely take contested overhead marks.

He is officially 197/96. Therefore, if he is playing key forward (typically FF), it might seem logical to man him up with your best big strongman. I believe, however, the best opponent is someone tallish (but not necessarily more than 6’2” even) and disciplined who has the pace, leap, mobility and concentration to wear him like a blanket on the lead, and to run off him at every opportunity.

Paul is a very strong, purposeful, steam-train lead. He hits the ball at top pace and has vice-grab hands if he can take the ball out if front. If you are even a metre behind him on the lead and the ball comes no higher than head height, he will mark it every time. And when he does he will hurt because he is such a reliable thumping kick, especially for goal.

If the ball presents a genuine overhead marking contest, Paul struggles big-time. He will always give you a big chance because he gives you unlimited access to the ball. He instinctively tends to run at the ball in such a way that he gets to a point underneath the ball and then jumps virtually straight up. He doesn’t have a feel for jumping up and INTO the ball. Nor does he steady at the last moment to shield the ball from the opponent’s reach. The bottom line is that Johnson is often not well-balanced at impact and, most importantly, the opponent doesn’t have to reach around Johnson’s body, let alone his arms, him for the ball. To compound things (or possibly connected) Paul often has hard hands overhead and struggles to even get hands to ball if he is coming from behind or mid-pack. Put simply, Paul‘s overhead marking usually consists of him running to the spot and jumping vertically straight up to catch. If he doesn’t have clear access to both those aspects, he is in trouble. Hence, he is usually in trouble overhead.

Ruckwork:

Is dual-handed and very clever with many of his ho's - can do monster punch hitouts to the front, or straight-arm jolt punches sideways, but he does try to direct hitouts & does have good awareness of where his "rover" options are. That’s the good news.

At ruck contests, tends to get to a position underneath where he expects the ball to drop. At ball-ups, as with his overhead marking, this typically means he finishes up having to jump straight up vertically instead of coming at an angle with a run up. This leaves him susceptible to a big-leaping ruckman jumping over the top of him and with greater purchase of the ball. Additionally, at throw-ins, he often tends to lean back excessively (a la J Madden). This allows him to out-body U18 rucks - he holds his arms out to the side to ward off opponent but in doing so he often leans way back leaving himself poorly-balanced to adjust if the throw-in is not tossed to the exact right spot.

At throw-ins, he will try to out-body his opponent almost every time.

He will bully any short ruckman who tries to out-body him. At U18 level they don't come much bigger & stronger than him. Most U18 rucks, including in the U18 Championships, are much shorter than Paul. Many are barely 6’3”. However, Johno is no Primus and nor is he exceptionally tall by AFL standards at barely 197cm and he is unlikely to get away with it at AFL level - opposition rucks will just jump over the top of him.

I believe the key to beating Johnson at ball-ups is oppose him with either a big leaper or someone of greater height and good leap, or similar or greater in both height and strength. At throw-ins, I would either let him do his wrasslin’ thing with the normal opponent but have a leaper (even fairly small) either come over the top late (a la J Cloke) or rush in front to intercept the ball. If you have an athletic huge-leaper, again not necessarily super tall but with a good sense of timing, who can come in late over the top of Johnson or early in front from the side, you don’t even need to have another person physically engaging him.

Agility:

There are two conflicting aspects to his agility. When he has the ball, his evasion skills are disarmingly outstanding – side-stepping or wrong-footing an opponent or selling the dummy. However, when the opponent has the ball or the ball takes a sideways bounce, Paul is easily wrong-footed and, when that happens, his slow reaction to recover, his poor turning circle and his lack of acceleration off the mark are such that he misses the train completely. His turning circle has improved since last year but is still a major weakness for the game he tries to play.

SUMMARY:

- Thumping reliable left foot kick but also get good depth and accuracy with his right. Consistent, even on the run. Excellent goal-sense.
- Always tries to play in front. Always.
- Has amazing clean ball-handling skills below the knee for his size – he is especially clean at picking up the half volley in front of him. (The trouble is, if it veers from his straight line path he is in trouble - even if he only has to veer off 45degrees).
- Very good with both hands (and arguably seems to use his right even more than his left) – both handball and hitouts, both depth and accuracy. Except for overhead marking, his hands are clean, quick and reliable. He is good at feeding the ball out, even under great pressure.
- Amazing on-field work ethic – running, presenting, competing, one-percenters, 2nd efforts, blocking, tackling, pressuring, etc
- Very intense at both man and ball. Fierce & desperate tackler.
- Great awareness of team-mates around him.
- Excellent decision-maker – any thinks quickly in doing so.
- Excellent evasion skills for his size
- Agility is a mixed bag – what he does well he does brilliantly, but his recovery when wrong-footed is poor.
- Pace and acceleration are somewhat of a mixed bag. Is not flash of the mark and can sometimes look lumbering but on other occasions, when he has some momentum up and/or is on his own terms, he can look very mobile for his size. - Never gives up.
- As a hard-leading forward he is terrific if the ball is out in front of him at head height or below - has vice-like grip running flat out taking the ball in front of him when he has even the slightest break on his opponent.

Query:

- Sub-standard contested overhead marking
- Ruck technique which may not succeed at AFL level
- If he is forced (i.e. not by his own choice) to change stride from his straight-line path he is in trouble and is way too slow to recover. It is very easy to wrong-foot him & run off him - either on the run or when he is standing the mark - & that's going to hurt him at AFL level, not just around the ground but even as a key forward they will run off him.
- Will he have weight problems which may impact his strengths (pardon the pun)? 96kg but has an Adonis build at 18yo. Officially added 6gk in the past year.
- stamina? (I don’t have any reason to believe he does or does not have stamina, so it is a query. He doesn’t tend to ruck long stints - his local team has two dedicated rucks + Johnson + R Brown, and Vic Metro had Cloke + part-timers Walsh & Brown. Certainly he runs hard and covers a lot of ground “non-stop”).

Some stats:

* In 2 full TAC seasons, has never got more than 20 possessions and only 3 times has taken more than 6 marks. Hasn't taken more than 5 marks in any game since April.
* TAC Avg disposals 15, up 25% on last year.
* Tac Avg marks 3.8
* 50% improvement in TAC avg handballs in 2nd half of his season
* 33% decrease in TAC avg marks in 2nd half of his season
* 35% decrease in TAC avg tackles in 2nd half of his season
* Has most average frees against in the TAC comp – has reduced from 2.6 mid-year to 2.2 though. (Was 4th last year)
* Morrish Medal votes in 5 games.
* Avg 12 disposals in U18 Championships – but a TOTAL of only 5 marks in 3 games.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Against the demons, he had a better game than McDougall. Really provides a target for us, and I see no reason why he shouldn't be playing in rd1. Lead well, contested marks as well as the loose ball, and did a lot of the 1 percenters.

Lynch also impressed me. I've never rated him (not that i've seen much of him), but today he did well. Sometimes looked lost with the footy in his hands, opting to kick it randomly, but other times he found passes most others under pressure wouldn't. Rebounded pretty well too, and looked surprisingly light on his feet for someone so big.

 

[Streaker]

I really liked Johnsons game tonight. He showed that he really does have good small man skills and he was always making a contest. Some of his pickups were really good and he will only improve with more games under his belt. I think he is a bit wary of getting in McDougalls way at the moment but once they work out their positions our forward line will improve.

 

[Kenny_01]

He looked pretty good, especially at ground level. Always gave a good contest and brought the ball to ground.

 

[Streaker]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
He looked pretty good, especially at ground level. Always gave a good contest and brought the ball to ground.

I was more impressed by our young talls ( Johnson, Lynch, Seaby and Doogs) than I was with Jako.

 

[jod23]

Wasnt sold on him after the Collingwood game...I am now. He should start at CHF in round 1. Really stood up tonight with Lynch and Cox...they were our best I thought. Real promising signs from the youngster.

 

[Nitro82]

Yeah I agree, Johnno has really impressed me. His ground level skills are excellent for his size, and he looks like the type of bloke that will keep presenting himself right up until the final siren sounds. He lead very well tonight, and contested admirably. Hope he gets a gig for rd 1.

Again Lynch played pretty solidly down back. He really looks like he wants to hold down CHB. His decision making is getting much better. And I'm a bloody big fan of his kick-ins as well

 

[Mead]

Very happy with Johnson today. Very quick on the lead and amazingly deft when the ball hits the ground. Basically, he's a 199cm version of Phil Matera, which sounds alright to me. Certainly his ability to lead his opponent to the ball, but also do nasty things below knee level would give a lot of defenders nightmares.

He seems to be getting much smarter at playing too his strengths (on the lead, or when the ball is on the deck), and minimising his weaknesses (pack marking- one thing I liked a lot was that rather than trying to mark when its clear he just isn't that great overhead, Johnson was using his bulk in masrking contests to give Doogs a free run at the ball- good combo is building there.

The biggest upside of this preseason so far has been Johno and Lynchy- anyone who saw them in the intraclubs would have had huge reservation on their ability to fill a place in our team, but after two decent efforts, thats changed- both look like pretty good chances to make the rd 1 team and bat on from there. If we have these two huge, surprisingly agile behomoths can slot into our spine consistently, suddenly a lot of the kpp issues are solved.

 

[Streaker]

Originally posted by Mead
Basically, he's a 199cm version of Phil Matera, which sounds alright to me.

Does this mean his nose will grow and his hair fall out? Not a pretty picture.

 

[materamagic]

My preffered choice at CHF when Gassy is unavailable (too many times unfortunately)

 

[noogie_da_sheep]

Originally posted by materamagic
My preffered choice at CHF when Gassy is unavailable (too many times unfortunately)

Gaspar has had the worst luck...hopefully when he gets back soon, he'll stay injury free.

 

[dasler]

Originally posted by Nitro82
Yeah I agree, Johnno has really impressed me. His ground level skills are excellent for his size, and he looks like the type of bloke that will keep presenting himself right up until the final siren sounds. He lead very well tonight, and contested admirably. Hope he gets a gig for rd 1.

Again Lynch played pretty solidly down back. He really looks like he wants to hold down CHB. His decision making is getting much better. And I'm a bloody big fan of his kick-ins as well

More reason for footy fans to get down to the WAFL and see the kids coming up through the ranks. It really is pleasant to see them develop through the WAFL and to see if they can transfer it to a higher level.