What to do with Ben Johnson?

[TheClokes]

It seems to me that his trade value will be very low; maybe nothing at all. Thinking again, I’m certain it will be nothing.

That being so, it looks like the Collingwood Football Club will have to persist with this player again next year. Because delisting him, could come back and haunt the club - because he is capable of recapturing some semblance of good from next year (off the half-back line at another club).

What Collingwood have to understand, is that he is simply a half-back with average skills. So leave him in that position, and give up on the notion that he could become a valuable midfielder.

Answer: Keep him – because we won’t get any trade value out of him, and he is simply to good to delist (based on passed form).

 

[Smoky]

Ben is highly respected in the club for the way he applies himself to training. IMO his attitude and approach to training this year must have dropped off. With the comment Eddie made using Bens kicking as a bad example to the other players to me would not be done if he was the best trainer on the track - although his kicking may need work you dont make an example of a player in front of the playing group of a player that is training 100% of what not to do.

I'll go with the "this is purely speculation" line now...

Anyone else notice that when the Didak and Shaws were involved in the Geebung drinking session anyone else find it strange that there was no mention of Ben johnson on the injury list, no games in the VFL, no mention of him in the emergency for the rest of the season... when we were going into a finals series lacking experience. Ben has proved to be the sort of player that when he's struggling with form and you put him in the big games he can kill it and play well above his form lines (ANZAC day medalist!)...

If you put the pieces together including the crucification of Heater and Dids in the press, not releasing this information to them makes complete sence from the club point of view...

Considering this ("speculation") this would have to be considered in the decision of what to do with Ben... Is he the example to the players because of his bad off field record or an example to the players due to his long term attitude towards the training track.

I'm sitting the fence on this one because i dont have all the facts but Im pretty sure his name will be thrown on the trade table to see what we could get for him.

 

[Crazy Tails]

I defintately think he will be put on the trade table, along with R.Shaw, to see what offers we get. IMO these two will be the fall guys for the Didak/Heath debacle as they are considered more dispensible.

What about Johnson to Freo for a 3rd rounder? Late 30s pick for an Anzac medallist?

As TRS has mentioned in previous threads, with retirements and delistings Freo may have a need for someone like Johnson that is in that 25-30 age bracket with 100+ games. Plus he was pretty good mates with Tarrant too.

 

[Kirby]

I thought that he was injured in the VFL in about the third last game?

 

[beez]

I have a better left foot than Johnson.

I like having him and Rhyce Shaw in the team for the run from half back, but apparently no one else does. Lucky for everyone I dont pick the 22.

 

[Smoky]

I thought that he was injured in the VFL in about the third last game?

But not put on the injury list?

 

[deck]

Can't see him being any value on the trade market. Unless a offer came along I would guess he will be offered a 1 year deal.

 

[Optimax]

But not put on the injury list?

He was indeed injured one week it said three week injury then nothing and the VFL season ended.

I have no doubt he was in fact injured for sometime, even in the seniors he looked laboured

 

[brockbruiser]

Could it be a solution to retain him for one more year, let him know he is on the crisp of being moved on and perhaps look at trading him to the gold coast who will be desperately looking for experience...

 

[hitemup007]

Ban this drug cheat for life.

 

[rose jam]

I'd keep him ,he can still play good footy. But his problems are obvious, he does can not play with even the smallest injury.

In 2005 he was our best player for much of the year, but he was dropped a towards the end of the year off a small 2 week leg injury and lost his "rhythm"
In 2006 he hurt his calf early in the year, didn't miss a game I think, but was shocking for the rest of the year
In 2007, the suspension, but up until then he was only play so-so
In 2008, looked severly overweight, about 5kgs at a guess. Lost his side step that he use to have.

But saying all this, I'd keep him, because a full pre-season and then pushed back to the backline back to his old role where he us to play on guys like Milne and he could come good again. But any sniff of an injury and he crumbles

 

[Bonuspoints]

He's got no real trade value except for finals teams looking to top up a bit and lets face it none of those would want him. He's been a one sided player his whole career and hasn't improved it at all. His age will put off the developing teams not to mention his deficiencies. We either keep him or cut him as no team is going to want him this year. Maybe in the future we can send off to the GC as they look to add senior depth to their roster, but thats about it.

 

[Didak2Dawes]

Trade/Delist.

 

[Pie eyed]

Sit him down, show him his highlights from 2007 (before his suspension) and just say "Next year we expect this every week."

When he is on his game Johnson is a valuable player.

He would have little trade value.

 

[Harries08]

Noticed on freemantle boaard the are asking the same qustion about Tarrant maybe trade BJ for Taz

 

[Camo1902]

I am of the opinion that Johnson will be offered as a trade. I'd like to see us go after another mid and i think Johnno could be a nice sweetener in trade offers.

I think the same thing about Rhyce Shaw.

 

[Ferga18]

trade him!!
also trade rhys shaw and didak... that interview did not convince me one bit. I say trade dids and get a hard at it classy midfielder aka Kerr. It is needed if we are to beat teams like hawthorn, geelong and bulldogs on a consistent basis.. no offence to dane swan who is hard at it and classy (although he doesnt look it), but add another one.. Hawks have mitchell, lewis, sewell, hodge, bateman... all hard at it midfielders. thats why they are playing next saturday and we are not!!

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Trade or delist.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Upgrade of our 3rd or 4th round pick.

Fact is; if we're taking anything more than the minumum number in the ND, plus Cousins in PSD, plus elevating 2 rookies, that's six spots we need to free up. I'd be confident that we're not just taking draftee/draftee/Reed with our first three picks either. I'd say seven spots is more likely.

Wakes/Lonie/Burns/Holland will likely be the retirees. Maybe Iles gets delisted. We have to trade 2-3 more spots onto our list by packaging picks with players, and someone's got to go. R Shaw, Egan and BJ seem to be the obvious choices.

It's a numbers game, several people simply have to make way, we can't keep them all.

 

[Axl the great]

It seems to me that his trade value will be very low; maybe nothing at all. Thinking again, I’m certain it will be nothing.

That being so, it looks like the Collingwood Football Club will have to persist with this player again next year. Because delisting him, could come back and haunt the club - because he is capable of recapturing some semblance of good from next year (off the half-back line at another club).

What Collingwood have to understand, is that he is simply a half-back with average skills. So leave him in that position, and give up on the notion that he could become a valuable midfielder.

Answer: Keep him – because we won’t get any trade value out of him, and he is simply to good to delist (based on passed form).

No the clokes, HB is not BJs best position as you have to be accountable especially inside 50 where Benny gets lost and can be exposed and outmarked.
If you cast your mind back a few years BJs best form was in the midfield where he gathered hard ball gets and regularly got 20 to 30 touches a week and was very damaging to boot.
The question now is can he get fit enough and stay injury free to have a big pre season and return to the midfield and recapture his old form or just perish along with some other hacks who have past through the club.
As a lifelong collingwood supporter you would think hes got enough pride and love for the club to show it some respect and finally get as fit as he can and save his career.
I bloody hope he does!

 

[shawthing09]

Agree with TRS trade to upgrade a later pick. I'd also trade Rhyce for a second rounder.

Benny's 2007 was poor prior to suspension. 2008 was poor and ended in the magoo's. We are a young list moving foward and I see no value in having senior players with attitude and discpline problems that aren't in / barely in the best 22 around. If either of Ben or Rhyce where more then fringe players or where great leaders I'd see value but I don't and hence using them to improve our spot in the pecking order and hopefully make us stronger going foward makes sense.

FWIW Both are handy players and with the foot up the ass and change of environment could help another club, hopefully what we get from the deal manage to help us too.

 

[the_fresh]

Trade to St. Kilda for Kosy along with a 2nd round pick.

I'm not a fan of Kosy but I think he could fix our ruck issues and could become very useful on our list.

 

[sirlothie]

Trade to St. Kilda for Kosy along with a 2nd round pick.

I'm not a fan of Kosy but I think he could fix our ruck issues and could become very useful on our list.

That wouldn't get it done for Kosi no way known.

If it would where do we sign??