Paul Johnson back

[Dee man 302]

Three ex-Demons will be taking the field for Hawthorn this Saturday.

PJ (and Cheney for that matter) have apparently been dominating in the VFL this season. Interesting to see how Hightower goes against a young opposition. He'll be spearheading the forward line in the absence of Franklin, Rioli and Roughead.

Most of us were - and probably are still - critical of him. He's always been the type of player that dominates in VFL but can't hold a mark in the AFL (especially over the last 2 years). Nonetheless I've always had a soft spot for him and hope he does well.

[The Lobster Effect 885]

paul johnson's chances of playing a final are about 100 to 1 though....

[Nasher 33,607]

I forgot he was on their list.

[No16 1]

Is it his first game for the year?

[The Lobster Effect 885]

Is it his first game for the year?

yep

[DeeSpencer 25,009]

paul johnson's chances of playing a final are about 100 to 1 though....

On form I agree, but realistically he's much shorter than that. Bailey has dodgy knees and Renouf has lost a fair bit of condition since having his gall bladder out.

If Bailey goes down in the first final then it will be the ruck/forwardline combinations of Hale and Paul Johnson.

Johnson should play ok, even with 8 out he should get some good delivery when up forward and up against Fraser and Smith in the ruck he should play ok. I'll be interested to see if he plays like the midfielder he isn't or if Hawthorn have added more physicality to his game.

[Guest Gareth Keenan]

But he's Paul Johnson!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

PJ (and Cheney for that matter) have apparently been dominating in the VFL this season.

He has missed alot of the season with a broken foot. He is not rated in this years Liston so he has hardly been dominating.

[Striker475 696]

if PJ were to win a premiership...wow. just wow.

[Rogue 585]

He has missed alot of the season with a broken foot. He is not rated in this years Liston so he has hardly been dominating.

I haven't paid any attention to how he's been going, but he could have been dominating in the VFL and yet not be rated in the Liston because he missed a lot of the season, couldn't he?

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I've always had a bit of faith in PJ and was disappointed when he was delisted, hope he does well there and holds his spot, good luck to him.

I know they have a heap of injuries and rested players, but it is interesting to see he and Cheney getting a game in a top 4 side.

Not good enough for us though.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,013]

if PJ were to win a premiership...wow. just wow.

Steven Armstrong all over again.

[Gippy Dee 48]

If he takes even one contested mark in Hawthorn's forward 50 I'll spit it!

The bloke was hopeless when it came to marking. Hopeless. Which is why I was glad to see the back of him.

Proof will be in the pudding.

Gippy

[Nasher 33,607]

Not good enough for us though.

You might've been being sarcastic, but you're right. PJ would have been well behind Jamar and the SME and possibly Gawn if he'd been on our list this year and has made the Hawthorn side through attrition.

Which small defender is Cheney better than in our backline? That was my issue with him when he was on our list and my view hasn't changed despite his getting a game at Hawthorn. He'd have been in direct competition with Tapscott for a spot in the side.

The dynamic of each side is completely different, so it's not unusual for a player to fail in a poor side and succeed in a strong side. The ruck and defence are two areas where our list looks strong, so it's not surprising that the odd outlier can fall off and make it elsewhere. You can absolutely bet that none of our delisted midfielders or forwards will make it elsewhere.

[Guest Gareth Keenan]

I've always had a bit of faith in PJ and was disappointed when he was delisted, hope he does well there and holds his spot, good luck to him.

I know they have a heap of injuries and rested players, but it is interesting to see he and Cheney getting a game in a top 4 side.

Not good enough for us though.

I find this confusing.

You're ready to burn a rookie at the stake for playing a late season game in the VFL reserves, yet you seem to think there's some value in a couple of players given years to show something, yet both have failed miserably...

They are only getting a game now because Hawthorn is stubbornly resting their best players at whatever cost - even if that means playing Cheney and PJ.

I admit to being harsh on Cheney, but in reality he has too many shortcomings.

PJ though? My god...

He embodied that old saying about a small having 5 mins to prove he's up to it, but a tall having 5 years to prove he's not.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

if PJ were to win a premiership...wow. just wow.

Doubt it. There have been alot of players who have been in the right place at the right time to win a flag. Steven Armstrong, Shannon Motlop come to mind.

I haven't paid any attention to how he's been going, but he could have been dominating in the VFL and yet not be rated in the Liston because he missed a lot of the season, couldn't he?

Possible. But he won a Liston after playing nine games one year. At his size you cant miss PJ on the ground and the umpires clearly notice. Its strange he was not even an outside chance.

I've always had a bit of faith in PJ and was disappointed when he was delisted, hope he does well there and holds his spot, good luck to him.

I know they have a heap of injuries and rested players, but it is interesting to see he and Cheney getting a game in a top 4 side.

Not good enough for us though.

They would be if MFC had " a heap of injuries and rested players". Hmmm what does that tell us?

[Guest Gareth Keenan]

More comparable is probably Mark Blake.

Same position, similarly inept.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

You might've been being sarcastic, but you're right. PJ would have been well behind Jamar and the SME and possibly Gawn if he'd been on our list this year and has made the Hawthorn side through attrition.

Which small defender is Cheney better than in our backline? That was my issue with him when he was on our list and my view hasn't changed despite his getting a game at Hawthorn. He'd have been in direct competition with Tapscott for a spot in the side.

The dynamic of each side is completely different, so it's not unusual for a player to fail in a poor side and succeed in a strong side. The ruck and defence are two areas where our list looks strong, so it's not surprising that the odd outlier can fall off and make it elsewhere. You can absolutely bet that none of our delisted midfielders or forwards will make it elsewhere.

One preseason at Hawthorn and Cheney's disposal, intensity and decision making are all far better than they were with us.

He's been 10x better than Strauss has shown this season, I've watched them both closely.

I don't think we made a mistake getting rid of him, but I now have no doubts that we don't train and develop players like the top clubs do.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Its easier when you have experienced capable bodies around you and your side contains at least three proven stars in Hodge, Rioli and Franklin. Cheney should look better. I agree with letting him go. I dont think he is more than a stop gap for them.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Its easier when you have experienced capable bodies around you and your side contains at least three proven stars in Hodge, Rioli and Franklin. Cheney should look better. I agree with letting him go. I dont think he is more than a stop gap for them.

I agree and forgot to add that to my post. It's an easier gig.

But Cheney looks a completely different player the way he's going about it.

[Rogue 585]

Possible. But he won a Liston after playing nine games one year. At his size you cant miss PJ on the ground and the umpires clearly notice. Its strange he was not even an outside chance.

Nine games, was it? That's a good effort. Good VFL player.

[Range Rover 1,935]

When I read the title of this thread I got the shivers thinking that Melbourne had announced an interest in bringing him back!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Nine games, was it? That's a good effort. Good VFL player.

They always give the Liston to talented rovers. B)

[Rogue 585]

Haha, harsh

[P-man 13,366]

Just took a blatant dive to win a free and lock up the game for the Hawks against GC. Dog act.