Paul Johnson

[saka888 54]

not having a single kick in a game is just not acceptable, time to pack your bags mate.

[Darren 0]

I thought he got the ball to ground ok and kept the ball where it need to be for the crumbers

Darren

[Waltham33 475]

I do not think the conditions helped but given where this team believes it is going, I cannot see players of his ilk being part of the future.

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

Barely had any game time aswell... Did some good things with his hands and some good body work aswell.

[Disco Demons 92]

he didn't seem to have a second attempt on the ball in the conditions last night...

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Exactly what was said about Jamar forever and a day.

Wasn't the right day for a quick tall who likes using his agility and hands on ground level. Hopefully they give him next week, maybe a couple more after that.

I reckon he's going to be absolutely required against Cox, and the apparent rising star. He stayed with Cox last time they played.

[Jaded No More 68,691]

He was OK last night given the conditions, but he only had 62% game time which to me indicates that he wasn't required, especially when Hudson dominated around the ground while PJ and Jamar watched on.

We should have gone another runner in those conditions, and to be honest PJ is still very much killing time until his contract is up for mine. Not going to make it long term given he is only an average ruckman and extremely poor physically and above his head.

Wasn't the right day for a quick tall who likes using his agility and hands on ground level. Hopefully they give him next week, maybe a couple more after that.

I reckon he's going to be absolutely required against Cox, and the apparent rising star. He stayed with Cox last time they played.

Those conditions were actually working to his advantage, because he was able to use his agility in a scrappy game. It's when the ground is dry that we see how glaringly obvious his failures are for a big guy.

He'll play next week because we need to keep supporting Jamar in the ruck, but to me experimenting with Martin has more long-term merit.

Edited May 8, 2010 by Jaded

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

We will need him next week. Hopefully it is a dry day.

[jacey 333]

Those conditions were actually working to his advantage, because he was able to use his agility in a scrappy game. It's when the ground is dry that we see how glaringly obvious his failures are for a big guy.

He'll play next week because we need to keep supporting Jamar in the ruck, but to me experimenting with Martin has more long-term merit.

Bang on. He was terrible. He has zero big man skills so a wet day is what would suit PJ but i'll cut him some slack cause it was his first game back but we all know the ending to this story.

Edited May 8, 2010 by jacey

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Jamar always had the rucking skills in his early days but did not get enough of the ball. PJ does neither.

Did little to advance his claims as a vital cog. We need him against Cox!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I thought he got better as the game went on he did a few good things during the game and is probably a little way off top form and fitness.

The Russian looked like he was out on his feet towards the end of the game and I reckon he will need a bit of help or he will crash, PJ looks to be the only one capable of sharing the burden.

[jacey 333]

Jamar always had the rucking skills in his early days but did not get enough of the ball. PJ does neither.

Did little to advance his claims as a vital cog. We need him against Cox!

Jamar could ruck to advantage and take a contested mark early in his career. Astute judges would've noted that but his intensity was missing game to game. I admit i did fall off his bandwagon thinking he would never find consistent intensity in games but the potential was there. I was back on when White was gone and he looked to string games. There is no potential in PJ.

Edited May 8, 2010 by jacey

[titan_uranus 24,917]

No good. Only Dappa seems to think contrarily.

Jamar in his early days was always decent in the ruck. Always. And he at least knew how to use his body. His problem was disposal (still not 100% fixed) and ability to get into the play.

Johnson can't ruck anywhere near as well as Jamar, and doesn't use his body like he should. In another thread I cited the example of Grimes' kick out late in the game, where PJ just stood on the ground and expected he could take the mark that way as opposed to leaping up towards the ball. Poor effort, typical Johnson.

Unfortunately we're playing West Coast next week, and if they're good at anything it's rucking. So Johnson will stay. But like Jaded, I think we're better off playing Martin, giving him some certainty about his position and just telling him 'you're second ruck, go for it'. Johnson's not going to be the answer.

[jumbo returns 6,713]

Jamar always had the rucking skills in his early days but did not get enough of the ball. PJ does neither.

Did little to advance his claims as a vital cog. We need him against Cox!

No we don't - basic instruction, someone (Dunn, Sylvia, Trengove) 3rd man up. Bring in a quickie - Bail or Maric.

Let's not waste a spot on PJ.

[jayceebee31 759]

Johnson should not have played-- Jetta should have replaced him in the team. Similar to Bulldogs dropping Roughhead for a smaller bloke in Hill.

[jumbo returns 6,713]

Johnson should not have played-- Jetta should have replaced him in the team. Similar to Bulldogs dropping Roughhead for a smaller bloke in Hill.

Agreed! or Maric.

This is the same coaching panel that's hindering Grimes' development by making him play too deep in the defensive square.

[Swampfox 190]

No we don't - basic instruction, someone (Dunn, Sylvia, Trengove) 3rd man up. Bring in a quickie - Bail or Maric.

Let's not waste a spot on PJ.

Maric ? and you dont want to waste a spot

I believe Maric will not make it at AFL level

Valenti reached a higher level than Maric and i dont see any improvement anytime soon

Thats my observation so far

[Swampfox 190]

Agreed! or Maric.

This is the same coaching panel that's hindering Grimes' development by making him play too deep in the defensive square.

Certainly a flop playing there isnt he

[jumbo returns 6,713]

Maric ? and you dont want to waste a spot

I believe Maric will not make it at AFL level

Valenti reached a higher level than Maric and i dont see any improvement anytime soon

Thats my observation so far

That's fine and we can debate it without any histrionics or volatility that pervades this website. A small was needed and from all accounts Maric is going okay for Casey. On such a horrible, slippery night, not making a move to make a change is not good enough from the coaching panel.

[jumbo returns 6,713]

Certainly a flop playing there isnt he

Yes, I thought he was a real flop against the Roos (he was caught out of position on so many occasions) and that's why I'm concerned about his development.

Last night was better, but I still want this potential superstar further up the field - he'll be more damaging.

[Felix 92]

not having a single kick in a game is just not acceptable, time to pack your bags mate.

setting up green for a goal and was handy in the ruck is acceptable in my books.

Keep in mind it was a crap day for 'talls', he will be on his game next week against WC, he will be required in the ruck.

[Felix 92]

No we don't - basic instruction, someone (Dunn, Sylvia, Trengove) 3rd man up. Bring in a quickie - Bail or Maric.

Let's not waste a spot on PJ.

have you seen maric play this year? He had a pretty bad game against Coburg today, and that was from a side who pumped them by around 12 goals.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I thought he got better as the game went on he did a few good things during the game and is probably a little way off top form and fitness.

The Russian looked like he was out on his feet towards the end of the game and I reckon he will need a bit of help or he will crash, PJ looks to be the only one capable of sharing the burden.

I'd play the Russian next week, then give him a rest from the heat of Darwin.

Play PJ & Spencer in tandem up in Darwin against the Port Power.

The rumour of Wonna going up to Darwin makes some sense,,, &, may I suggest that it could be a good opportunity, IF the cards fall that way,,, that it might be nice if Jetta, Wonna, Benny & Davey were to all play.

Hot weather with slippery conditions may be Ideal for the little guys. Spencer is also a Banana bender.

[jumbo returns 6,713]

have you seen maric play this year? He had a pretty bad game against Coburg today, and that was from a side who pumped them by around 12 goals.

Fair enough - who was the next small in line? Jetta?

[Felix 92]

Fair enough - who was the next small in line? Jetta?

Jetta for sure, he played well today. He is very exciting to watch.