Room for Johnny Barker ?

[Alex_au]

The talk is soon he is to resume playing for box hill. At this given time I don't think there is a place in the side for him with Boyle and Franklin pressing claims for selection. In all fairness to Barker he has been plagued by injury since 2001, but the games I have seen him play since then have not really impressed me.

I think at the moment the way the team is going is excellent and props to AC for rebuilding the list. I just think that introducing Barker to our forward line would risk the way it is currently operating.

Your thoughts?

 

[Gary Shadforth]

Your thoughts?

Interesting question.

 

[LukeHodge15]

wish the hawks hadda bit the bullet and johnny retired gracefully. would much rather a developing KP young prospect on our list than an injury prone guy whos body has clearly had enough of the rigors of AFL footy.

in saying that, if johnny can string 6-7 games of footy together for box hill ...... and thats a BIG "IF"... he would surely come in to our senior 22. everyone knows how he can straighten us up by holding down CHF and his amazing winning record when he is on teh park for us.

 

[Alex_au]

Come seasons end could we try trade negotiations with the Kangaroos ? Maybe a first round draft pick.

 

[LukeHodge15]

Come seasons end could we try trade negotiations with the Kangaroos ? Maybe a first round draft pick.

lol throw in matty ball and we could ask for pick 14 and 18

 

[cs61]

If.... if... if.... he can get his fitness up and start playing some good footy there would certainly be a spot for Johnny Barker. No one even questioned his football player ability, he's a great hardworking player who contests and reads the play well. Crashes and bashes, and kicks straight.

But.... its just hard to see it happening. It'd to have him step into the side, I'd think we'd be a genuine chance for the finals if we had him back in the side playing well.

I hope so, but realistically we should be planning on playing the season without him, and if he comes back in its a big bonus. We would either really stretch teams up forward, or be able to send another big man to defence.

 

[FatBoy's Wombats]

My thoughts - See how he goes at box hill for four weeks

 

[Alex_au]

If.... if... if.... he can get his fitness up and start playing some good footy there would certainly be a spot for Johnny Barker. No one even questioned his football player ability, he's a great hardworking player who contests and reads the play well. Crashes and bashes, and kicks straight.

Couldn't agree more, but the game has changed so much, we hardly see contested marking anymore, something that JB was good at. Being now in his thirties he just wouldn't have the pace anymore and would probably just get in Willo's way

 

[pacman]

Would need injuries to hit before Barks gets a run. Buddy and Boyle would be before him at this stage.

 

[LoneStar]

Would need injuries to hit before Barks gets a run. Buddy and Boyle would be before him at this stage.

Let's not discuss the injuries that would pop up to get JB into the side. Perhaps he could get an opportunity via a brief attack by a mild virus and we could all see how his presence effects the side's form.

 

[Bennycoff]

Hopefully he can stay injury free at Box Hill for a few weeks then we consider playing him. However with our current side it's hard to get a game with our smallish forward line. Boyle and Franklin aren't playing either.
However I agree we play so much better with Barker there and he straightens us up and it would allow Croad to help out Roughead and Dawson down back. And allow Jacobs to be free.

 

[xyakks]

It would be a huge bonus for us if we could somehow get Barker back on the park for the majority of the second half of the year. Not only for his proven ability in the forward line, but for the fact that it allows us to send Croad to CHB and for Roughy to move up the ground more than what he's been able to so far.

Unfortuantly I can't see him doing that, not after 4 seasons of injury after injury. It's very sad to see a player miss his best years through injury.

 

[Bennycoff]

Buddy Franklin will be back this week, in place of Ries. Not sure if Osborne will return.