Will there be a spot for Johnson?

[ballanFYNE]

With Anthony coming in, and most likely playing full forward, will there be a spot in the team for MJ better than sub?

You could argue back up ruckman, but I'd rather Bradley in that position, and who knows if harves would rather Griffin in there before MJ. If he was to get a spot, could it be down back like a floating defender as he has done in the past, there is a hole to fill with no Hayden or Tarrant anymore. But would Faulks get a game ahead of Johnson for Key Defender, and what about Lower?

 

[Seppo]

MJ can play most positions well enough to fit in the 22. Our 2011 squad will be based around more multi positioned players like him for the flexibility.

If his head stays screwed on with no off-field mishaps for the whole year and has an uniterupted preseaon, he should be a walk up start IMO.

I see Bradley more of a sub than Johnson...

Keplar has that spark and uncanny ability to kick 4 goals in a quarter that could win us a game, comming off the bench could be good for him.

He always looks so awkward with his doggy paddle running style as he gets tired towards the end of a full game!!!

 

[yakka man]

With Anthony coming in, and most likely playing full forward, will there be a spot in the team for MJ better than sub?

You could argue back up ruckman, but I'd rather Bradley in that position, and who knows if harves would rather Griffin in there before MJ. If he was to get a spot, could it be down back like a floating defender as he has done in the past, there is a hole to fill with no Hayden or Tarrant anymore. But would Faulks get a game ahead of Johnson for Key Defender, and what about Lower?

I know what you mean, i am finding him hard to place in my round 1 team for next year. Crowley i am finding difficult aswell. Johnno is not really needed down back at the moment, no need for back up ruckman with Griffin in the team which only leaves Half Forward. But what about Crowley? If Mcphee is going to stay in the midfield as a tagger do you use Crowley as a negating half forward? Team selection these days often boils down to injuries.

 

[dominguez]

Aslong as Pav, McPharlin, Silvagni and Sandi stay fit there's no way we'll see Anthony, Bradley and Johnson all in the 21 together.

Jonno should play most games but he'll start as sub or be subbed out quite often IMO unless Anthony struggles.

 

[ballanFYNE]

I know what you mean, i am finding him hard to place in my round 1 team for next year. Crowley i am finding difficult aswell. Johnno is not really needed down back at the moment, no need for back up ruckman with Griffin in the team which only leaves Half Forward. But what about Crowley? If Mcphee is going to stay in the midfield as a tagger do you use Crowley as a negating half forward? Team selection these days often boils down to injuries.

I definitely can't see McPhee, Crowley and Johnson in the same line up.
Out of the three I'm sure Johnson would be first chosen, but they won't all fit in there. Crowley might be used up forward a bit more next year, and that would be helpful.

 

[rgauci]

A lot of players spot in the 22 will come under pressure;

Grover
Crowley
Johnson
plus many more

The only definite best 22's:

Sandilands
Pavlich
Mundy
McPharlin
Hill
Broughton
Duffield

Everyone else in my opinion is based on form. Left Ballantyne out due to an interrupted preseason. Same with Barlow. Presumably Ibbotson and DeBoer are inclusions considering they are in the leadership group. But apart from the aforementioned you could field a variety of best 22's. You can make a best 22 excluding anyone except those listed.

 

[bfff]

^^ I think your buddy is a definite in the best 22.

 

[sabre_ac]

Anthony needs to be given a red hot crack, I'll be extremely disapointed if he is in and out of the side.

Johnson for me needs to earn his spot week in week out, it's been some time since I considered him a walk up starter.

 

[greatgatsby]

^^ I think your buddy is a definite in the best 22.

Absolutely!

 

[Scham]

Anthony needs to be given a red hot crack, I'll be extremely disapointed if he is in and out of the side.

Johnson for me needs to earn his spot week in week out, it's been some time since I considered him a walk up starter.

So the new boy has to be given an extended run regardless of form but Jonno should have to earn his spot week in week out? That sounds fair.

 

[DockerLand1]

A lot of players spot in the 22 will come under pressure;

Grover
Crowley
Johnson
plus many more

The only definite best 22's:

Sandilands
Pavlich
Mundy
McPharlin
Hill
Broughton
Duffield

Everyone else in my opinion is based on form. Left Ballantyne out due to an interrupted preseason. Same with Barlow. Presumably Ibbotson and DeBoer are inclusions considering they are in the leadership group. But apart from the aforementioned you could field a variety of best 22's. You can make a best 22 excluding anyone except those listed.

I think that the following players need to be added to your list. A lovely situation to be in though. This (apart from Morabito going down) is the strongest our list has EVER been.

DeBoer is one of the players that I would ALWAYS choose in the side.
Mayne (If fully fit ) is an automatic selection in my eyes and will have a better 2011.
Fyfe is going to become a player of SUCH quality for us in future. I am DAMN excited!
Johnson is a very interesting player. When he is involved and concentrating he is an awesome player. The trick is to light that FIRE under his ass to get him to reach his capabilities constantly. If he can do that he will be one of our most important players. Until then, Kepler can take his place in the side. You know that the 26 is going to give 100% ever DAMN time!

 

[purplesoul]

I reckon Jonno is a auto selection when switched on due to his flexibility, but he should be made to work for that spot as he did let the team down big time this year.

I sometimes wonder if he coasts a little bit on natural talent.

 

[Freodoc]

I reckon Jonno is a auto selection when switched on due to his flexibility, but he should be made to work for that spot as he did let the team down big time this year.

I sometimes wonder if he coasts a little bit on natural talent.

Just how long is he to pay for his crime??

He paid the price last season and has been overlooked for a leadership role for 2011

Time to move on now...

 

[Sman-21]

I sometimes wonder if he coasts a little bit on natural talent.

nothing to wonder about, its as clear as day.
Hes done it throughout his entire career .

Its why i get so annoyed with him.
He could be great if he just put in the effort.
Instead hes part of the old freo that were happy to just cruise along picking up their paycheck.

Just rewatch his game in the finals to see how good he can be when he wants to.

Add abit of strength an he could nail down the chb spot or backup ruckman as at the moment hes too weak an is easily out muscled.

 

[Nickos66]

If he was ever a walk up start he won't be in 2011. With our bigman stocks all pushing for senior spots in the 22 he's one of many on the cusp of selection.

 

[The Purple Hill]

Just how long is he to pay for his crime??

He paid the price last season and has been overlooked for a leadership role for 2011

Time to move on now...

agree completely.
He is definetly best 18. I would be expecting a career best season in 2011 for MJ

 

[yakamoto]

MJ has been selected to play in every game he was available for since Round 1 2006. I don't expect 2011 to be any different.

 

[sabre_ac]

So the new boy has to be given an extended run regardless of form but Jonno should have to earn his spot week in week out? That sounds fair.

Jonno has and is given an extended run, I've got high hopes for him but he's right in the block hole age wise for hitting his peak.

Like Ibbotson big things are righly expected for them this season, Mundy did it last year.

We all look at Fyfe,Hill,Balla, Suban etc and expect advancement, but the pressure should be on the likes of Jono.

That said I think there is a place for both Jono and "the new boy" in the team.

 

[Freomaniac]

Off field problems aside... he can fit in our bes 22. Hes one of a few experienced defenders in out squad and hes in his prime now not a guy passed his used by date.

If a guy like McPharlin gets injured Johnson and Silvagni are capable of holding that spot.

I wouldnt mind seeing him go forward. If he plays 20 games and kicks 30-40 goals then it can be a good thing taking the workload of pav, balla and mayne.

 

[newlander77]

He'll be more than handy on a wing and up forward. He's a good lead on the wing, takes a strong grab, keeps his kicks low and straight. Him and Fyfe will do some damage next season.

One thing about Johnson is he still makes me cringe whenever they play him back in close games. He always seems to have brain farts in those games that cost us goals and momentum.

 

[Seppo]

Off field problems aside... he can fit in our bes 22. Hes one of a few experienced defenders in out squad and hes in his prime now not a guy passed his used by date.

If a guy like McPharlin gets injured Johnson and Silvagni are capable of holding that spot.

I wouldnt mind seeing him go forward. If he plays 20 games and kicks 30-40 goals then it can be a good thing taking the workload of pav, balla and mayne.

Johnson would have to be one of our most accurate kicks from set shots last year IMO. He loves to put a few good ones away from the right half forward pocket. He is capable of kicking a few goals through the season if played in the right posi for long enough.

I reckon he could be more damaging in the forward line rather than back up ruck or rebounding out the fity.

Anyone else agree?

 

[PastiesPeake]

Wow, strange question.

With the defection of Tarrant I would have thought Johnson would be a monty to match up on a tall forward, maybe even the best opposition tall forward.

I think his natural ability and nonchalant attitude work against him. You see how good he is in bursts and expect that the whole game.

He is not that sort of player.

Either way, I reckon there are about 5 spots for Johnson.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

Wow, strange question.

With the defection of Tarrant I would have thought Johnson would be a monty to match up on a tall forward, maybe even the best opposition tall forward.

I think his natural ability and nonchalant attitude work against him. You see how good he is in bursts and expect that the whole game.

He is not that sort of player.

Either way, I reckon there are about 5 spots for Johnson.

there would be 20 spots for johnno on your list, ours it isnt so easy. i reckon johnno at the moment is about our 20th-22nd best player on our list. he may squeeze in round one, but if he plays like he did the four games after his suspension he will be out of the team pretty quickly

 

[theGav56]

Off field problems aside... he can fit in our bes 22. Hes one of a few experienced defenders in out squad and hes in his prime now not a guy passed his used by date.

If a guy like McPharlin gets injured Johnson and Silvagni are capable of holding that spot.

I wouldnt mind seeing him go forward. If he plays 20 games and kicks 30-40 goals then it can be a good thing taking the workload of pav, balla and mayne.

You may be right, but at this stage I prefer MJ forward and if MacPharlin went down would look at Jack Anthony going back. MJ has just never really worked as a KPD for me, and heis a tad slow in the backline.

 

[DockerA]

Best part about guys like Anthony, Faulks, Silvagni on the list means that Johnson doesn't need to play KP.

With Mora going down I'd like to see him used as a high half forward/winger or a high rebounding half back. He'd present an incredibly difficult player to match up on in such a role. Either way he's definitely a first 21 player and with his flexibility the sub rule in my opinion makes him even more valuable