Tomahawk looking sharp, says Johnson

[Redemptionin09]

Here is an article from yesterday's Geelong Addy:

Tomahawk looking sharp, says Johnson
Bradley Green

Geelong star Steve Johnson has dismissed concerns over Tom Hawkins' fitness, declaring the young forwardis fit and ready to have a big impact this season.
Johnson said Hawkins was ready to step up his workload on the training track, with the Cats' opening NAB Cup match against Adelaide less than three weeks away.
Hawkins has been on a modified program over the summer as he continues his recovery from a foot injury that sidelined him towards the end of last year.
The Cats have always declared their aim was to have the 20-year old ready for their opening round of the home-and-away season against Hawthorn on March 27.
After 25 goals from 19 games in two seasons, there are high expectations for Hawkins to fill a key forward post long into the future.
"He's like any player, he just wants to be right for round one," Johnson said of Hawkins' progress.
"He's done a lot of work in the rehab group so far and he looks as fit as he's ever looked since he's been at the club.
"So, hopefully, his conditioning is behind him and he can start more running and he picks up the fitness in the legs pretty quick. I think he'll be one to watch this year for sure"
Johnson said the February 21 clash with the Crows had also snuck up on him over the past few days.
"It struck me a little bit the other night when I saw the ads come on for the Collingwood game (against West Coast in Perth on Saturday night) and I thought 'gee, it's already here'," Johnson said.
We've been training pretty hard, so it's always nice to get into the training regime of the season because the pre-season has been gruelling, like every club.
"But, that's what you play footy for, to play in the games so I can't wait. I know personally I just like playing footy, so that's why I enjoy it and look forward to it."
Johnson also revealed he was suffering a slight injury after yesterday's training session, but said overall his body was feeling good as he looked to build on his stellar 2008 season.
"Before the start of the season you wait and, hopefully, let your footy do the talking when you get there (round one)," Johnson said.
"But I'm feeling pretty good...apart from a corky I got at training. It's the last thing you need on a Monday morning, so it might be sore for a couple of days."
​

 

[Dawn2Dark]

Please stay fit, please stay fit, please stay fit...

 

[Tomahawk Worshiper]

I cant wait for the tomahawk to really get going and give my username some legitimacy....

 

[ant0s]

Please stay fit, please stay fit, please stay fit...

this

 

[kicksome]

i can't wait for footy to start to see how big tom and gamble go, it could be exciting times ahead.

The future is bright,
the future is blue and white.

 

[fugsy]

I'm not convinced...at no point was there a mention of the house being trained down.

 

[BotsMaster]

We really need the tommahawk 2 fire this year.

 

[Vegas.]

I'm not convinced...at no point was there a mention of the house being trained down.

I think Hogan already trained it down, and given that they are housemates, there was nothing left for Hawkins to umm...train... down..? But you can bet your ass he would have if the house was still there. to be trained down.

 

[Partridge]

i can't wait for footy to start to see how big tom and gamble go, it could be exciting times ahead.

The future is bright,
the future is blue and white.

As long as Hawkins is selected for round 1 (and Gamble too for that matter), I'll be happy.

Put him in, and leave him in.

 

[Turbocat]

As long as Hawkins is selected for round 1 (and Gamble too for that matter), I'll be happy.

Put him in, and leave him in.

Partridge , ever heard the saying "Don't take a knife to a gun fight" ? He played 10 games last year but all at the start of the year. What we need is for him to be peaking the second half of the season especially September.
I'd be a happy man if he improves on last year , plays 12+ games , kicks 35+ goals as long as its the second half of the season where he does it. Sure I'd love him to play 25 but I'll take him playing on the softer grounds if thats what we have to do.

I'd let Lonergan and Simpson and maybe even Brown have turns as the 3rd or 4th option along side Mooney and Johno and Ottens and Gamble until he is rock solid ready to play.

On Gamble , I agree he should be in from the start and be played as much as possible. He offers something no one else does , spring!!. I wouldn't mind him getting run down back either because we must become less predictable

 

[Vegas.]

On Gamble , I agree he should be in from the start and be played as much as possible. He offers something no one else does , spring!!. I wouldn't mind him getting run down back either because we must become less predictable

This is something I saw him do in the VFL (although it was probably more of an onball role) and I was super impressed. He is a very versatile player, and I think he could be groomed for the midfield if we wanted to (although we have a bit of a logjam in there at the moment). The best I have seen him play was in the VFL as an on baller type who floated back.

 

[CF]

Is he...."Training the house down"..........don't you love preseason puff pieces

 

[Partridge]

Partridge , ever heard the saying "Don't take a knife to a gun fight" ? He played 10 games last year but all at the start of the year. What we need is for him to be peaking the second half of the season especially September.
I'd be a happy man if he improves on last year , plays 12+ games , kicks 35+ goals as long as its the second half of the season where he does it. Sure I'd love him to play 25 but I'll take him playing on the softer grounds if thats what we have to do.

I'd let Lonergan and Simpson and maybe even Brown have turns as the 3rd or 4th option along side Mooney and Johno and Ottens and Gamble until he is rock solid ready to play.

Yeah, but if Hawkins is a knife what the hell is Lonergan? A spatula? In case people have forgotten, Lonergan wasn't just bad in the Grand Final, he was just as poor throughout the finals series. Personally I think it's time for the clearly more talented player (that is Hawkins) to be given a chance. This isn't his first or second season anymore, it's his third. Judging by the recent photos he looks in superb condition, and Tom Harley and Steve Johnson have both said he'll be right for the NAB Cup. I'm just curious as to why people think he continues to need protecting. He needs more experience in the seniors, not less.

I'll give you a parallel. Franklin and Roughead were both thrown in at the deep end early in their careers. They struggled initially, but developed much faster also because of it. We're fortunate to have a strong enough team to give him that buffer.

And yep, Gamble would be a certainty for mine also.

 

[darren forssman]

I'll give you a parallel. Franklin and Roughead were both thrown in at the deep end early in their careers. They struggled initially, but developed much faster also because of it. We're fortunate to have a strong enough team to give him that buffer.

thats the crux...if he was playing in an average team he would have played more games and had more experience.

he was dropped last season when the team as a whole was struggling...and when we had our golden run lonergan was kicking goals when we were belting teams but looking average in close games which we eventually won.

 

[The rabbi]

Yeah, but if Hawkins is a knife what the hell is Lonergan? A spatula? In case people have forgotten, Lonergan wasn't just bad in the Grand Final, he was just as poor throughout the finals series.
And yep, Gamble would be a certainty for mine also.

I thought that all our forwards were very ordinary throughout the finals series. We won our finals because our back six were tight.
Why single out Lonergan when senior established players went missing?

____________________________________________
A ScapeGoat: The Secret to Success is knowing who to Blame.

 

[Turbocat]

Yeah, but if Hawkins is a knife what the hell is Lonergan? A spatula? In case people have forgotten, Lonergan wasn't just bad in the Grand Final, he was just as poor throughout the finals series. Personally I think it's time for the clearly more talented player (that is Hawkins) to be given a chance. This isn't his first or second season anymore, it's his third. Judging by the recent photos he looks in superb condition, and Tom Harley and Steve Johnson have both said he'll be right for the NAB Cup. I'm just curious as to why people think he continues to need protecting. He needs more experience in the seniors, not less.

I'll give you a parallel. Franklin and Roughead were both thrown in at the deep end early in their careers. They struggled initially, but developed much faster also because of it. We're fortunate to have a strong enough team to give him that buffer.

And yep, Gamble would be a certainty for mine also.

Oh man , funniest quote on here for while. I take your point

Actually I meant Hawkins to be the gun not the knife so its probably don't take a spatula to a gun fight. My point is I don't want to be lumbered with a spatula come the finals in 09.

As far as Hawkins being compared to Franklin and Roughead.
Have either of these guys had injury concerns because thats the real issue with Hawkins. Its not just a matter of us "nursing him" thru his formative years , its more about trying to keep him playable as he becomes fit enough to play AFL on a regular basis, making sure we don't break him so bad he never reaches his potential.

Every player is different and comparison of how quickly they come to hand is probably unfair. Selwood is a different to Varcoe ,different body , different game style and different recovery from injury and IMO playing Varcoe earlier wouldn't have made him come to hand earlier Not sure but maybe a better comparison is Mooney , how many games did he play early , how many games did he miss etc.

For mine , in the games he has played , Hawkins has shown enough to want to be careful with him. He does need games but he also needs to work on his kicking and also need to work on his fitness. A fully fit Tom in the GF in 08 and it would have been very interesting when Croad went off the ground so if we are in finals in 09 , I wan't him in our best 22 , not in the stands in a blow up boot.

 

[Vegas.]

Then surely you meant 'don't take a gun to a knife fight'?

 

[Partridge]

I thought that all our forwards were very ordinary throughout the finals series. We won our finals because our back six were tight.
Why single out Lonergan when senior established players went missing?

____________________________________________
A ScapeGoat: The Secret to Success is knowing who to Blame.

Purely because the argument was Hawkins v Lonergan for the 2nd key forward spot. I completely agree that Lonergan wasn't the only culprit - far from it.

 

[thejester]

Then surely you meant 'don't take a gun to a knife fight'?

Which is pretty bloody stupid advice

 

[Vegas.]

Agreed, take an automatic if you've got one!

 

[Turbocat]

Then surely you meant 'don't take a gun to a knife fight'?

NO.
I mean don't take a knife (Lonergan) to a gun fight (GF). To win the fight we must have all our guns loaded and firing. Why have him play early (when its not as important) , if it compromises his ability to be available when he is really needed. Let Lonergan and the rest be the support act till Tom is 100%. I just think the grounds tend to be harder at the start of the year and its probably less likely to stress him later in the year. Ideally he plays 25 games and stars but being fit and in form for September should be our #1 goal.

 

[Vegas.]

Well yeah, by my wording still works:

Don't take a gun (T-Bone) to a knife fight (early season games).

Also, I am in agreeance with you here.

 

[And_ROOS]

I'm not convinced...at no point was there a mention of the house being trained down.

Nor mention of "X" player having their best preseason ever... ready to take it game by game... a week at a time...