PJ's last three weeks

[Simon_Nesbit]

The advantage RnB is that in a game like last week, where the opposition (Hawthorn) went more or less man-on-man, his athletic abilities and determination to run into space provided an outlet, as his direct opponent couldn't keep up.

The same as your elusively quick FP. Might not be able to run all day and get 30 touches, but he can turn on the jets and give you a 5 minute patch that could potentially win you the game.

 

[RandB]

The advantage RnB is that in a game like last week, where the opposition (Hawthorn) went more or less man-on-man, his athletic abilities and determination to run into space provided an outlet, as his direct opponent couldn't keep up.

No arguements there, PJ has an ability to exploit slower rucks around the ground and works hard at doing it. It is a double edged sword though if the ball comes back over his head (due to a poor kick) and the opposition have a loose tall who can take an uncontested mark. If he goes for better options then this is not as much an issue and he is genuinely hurting the opposition.

The same as your elusively quick FP. Might not be able to run all day and get 30 touches, but he can turn on the jets and give you a 5 minute patch that could potentially win you the game.

I understand what you are saying but a FP (depending on a small or a tall) has a different primary role which usually ends in pay-dirt with goals. I am not robbing PJ of his ability to get lose and spot up a target (forgetting the kicking) but merely pointing out what more we need to get out of him as a tall player around the ground. As I said, if he improves in those aspects he will be one of our most valuable players because his running then comes into play as a bonus attribute that not many ruckmen have.

 

[The Dr]

Has been super impressive since his shocking start to the year, but I still reckon we need a good, competitive tap ruckman to work with PJ. Like an A-grade Jamar. That would give us good balance in our ruck stocks.

Where that leaves Meesen I don't know.

 

[Colin Grigson]

Jesus christ Demon fans, Why not just trade him, We done Jolly, Simmonds, Get real FCS. Paul is showing something, get behind the guy instead of bagging him. He has been tremendous the last 3 weeks.

He did not win the Liston after 6 games? being a dud.

This is the first year he has hit the pill hard, and the typical hypocrite posters keep on bagging.

I think to say that he's been tremendous over the last 3 weeks is a massive exaggeration. I mean, if his strength is supposed to be what he offers around the ground then something's amiss. He offers competiveness at the stoppages, but I'm not really sure what else TBH. Possesions don't mean an awful lot if you dont use them, and he doesn't hurt his opponent by pushing forward and kicking a couple of goals...

I know he's a ruckman, and therefore he cant be expected to have the same polish as an outside mid., but his skills and decision making are pretty ordinary TBH. He turns it over regularly. I mean, he had the ball between wing and half back the other night, and under very little pressure decided to switch it into the corridor where there were about 3 Hawks and no Melbourne players. There were other instances where he made basic skills errors and looked clumsy. Its getting to be a weekly thing for him. I don't know how long you need to be in the system for to get these basics right.

But anyway, the horse has been flogged to bits at this stage...

 

[puckled]

PJ has been playing the lone hand in the Ruck since we played West Coast.

Ironically that was three weeks ago.

If this thread is anything to go by it would be fair to say that:

Paul Johnson plays his best when he is rucking alone.

I'm not saying Jamar shouldnt come back in, I think he will after his Casey performance, I'm just interested to hear how people think this will affect PJ.

Discuss.