Paul Johnson to the Backline???

[brey9186 102]

What do you all think about this

fast, tall, strong, seems to read the play well enough

its just i think his talents are going to be wasted playing the 3rd string ruckman behind white and jamar, and evetually neaves

at CHB or even FB, would be given a chance to settle in over the preseason, and then hopefully unleashed duing the wizard cup, i would rather him there instead of holland

i just dont think that he is going to beak into the team, as a ruckman or a forward, and would allow us to grow young frawley in a pocket or flank along side rivers and carroll, and not have to be taking the strong bodies straight away

whelan carroll frawley

rivers johnson green/bartram/ward ect

what do you think

[Jaded No More 68,835]

My question is, can he read the play?

That is the number one requirement for a good defender. If he can't read the way the ball is coming in, or the way his opponent is leading to it, then it's a lost cause.

We really haven't seen enough of him to make a judgement though.

[Gorgoroth 12,910]

interesting but like jaded dont know if he really can read the play but hell trial it pre season it wouldnt hurt his overall game

[Scoop Junior 3,431]

Too many variables.

He may be fast and agile for a big ruckman, but it is a different story for KD's. Recovery is also important for KD's and I'm not sure of PJ's ability in this regard.

Considering the trend is towards a power forward close to goals and more agile marking targets across HF who push high up the ground, I can't see who his typical opponent would be.

Maybe if the opposition stacked their forward line with talls (including a ruckman), he could be used on the big, slow ruckman. But the resting ruckman in the forward pocket is something of the past.

Don't think the move would work.

[Adzman 2,154]

PJ is not really the fastest unit going around. HE would need to find some more pace to fill FB or CHB. He has the right skill set for a forward, which is where i would rather see him play.

Maybe a smokey for CHF. I think low end ruckman or foward role player for PJ in 2007.

[Tolstoys Nudge 1,607]

He will either be CHB or CHF!!

as he WONT be a ruckman, white, jamar, Neaves, FAninng..

IMO shopld play back, take 2nd Tall!!

[brey9186 102]

fanning??

oh god no :(

[Toad33 57]

I have pondered this question before and ultimately came up with a NO.....but maybe!

Like Holland, who's place he would be taking, he would need the right match-up or he would just end up warming the pine. PJ is quicker than Holland when he gets going, but is pretty slow off the mark like Holland.

Other than taking Holland's spot on the big forwards, he could do a job on a ruckman playing forward. However, this doesn't happen that often any more and when it does it is usually only for short periods or to cover or exploit injuries. ND usually tries to pull that same stunt in our forward line as a counter measure as well.

Like all modern day ruckman he needs to be versitile and that means being able to do a job anywhere, forward, back and especially in the middle.

I wouldn't be opposed to him being groomed as a defensive ruckman ala Jim Stynes, but he seems to have been anointed as a forward.

Go Dees

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

My first respone was no no no. But since reading everyone's comments I've realised there is some method to this madness. I was sitting right behind him in the round 4 match vs the Swans where he did his shoulder, and I've gotta say he looked 10 times as comfortable. Perhaps given the chance to react, rather that create the plays helped him along. Then again, he was also looking pretty dangerous up forward too on that day, maybe he was just hitting his straps. What you want to see is the guy taking to a particular position in the way Dutchy did this year. Just to suddenly own a KP on the field and create, at least in the coach's mind, a home for him. Personally I'd prefer him to suddenly own CHF or FF, but since he's had years to do that, perhaps I'm being naive.

[dazzledavey36 54,087]

thought he played pretty well when moved on mooney and i reckon should be kept there instead of holland and ferguson. the one thing with pj is that he is very well skilled for a big man.. has good pace and also a good strength on him. As David Schawze said ND just should leave him in the side to get some game time and some confidence

thoughts?

[sylvinator 96]

i thought he played really terribly today. i thought his disposal was shocking and his marking pathetic. i would be happy if he never played another game for us. i dont rate him and he is no answer to our problems. btw he is not a ruckman

[classy dees 42]

was definately no worse than some of the other blokes down there.

however i'm no so sure we want to make him into a defender, ala nicholson. it will take a long time and along the way they'll be some shockers.

putting rivers back into that defence will make some difference, and once fit i'd like to see frawley get a crack, but PJ showed a small glimpse today.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

thought he played pretty well when moved on mooney and i reckon should be kept there instead of holland and ferguson. the one thing with pj is that he is very well skilled for a big man.. has good pace and also a good strength on him. As David Schawze said ND just should leave him in the side to get some game time and some confidence

thoughts?

I thought he was relatively good today. He played well on Mooney when he was on him.

I'm not sure if the backline is his number one position but I'm all for trying to mix things up a bit.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Rivers coming back will make that issue redundant. PJ is not AFL material.

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

All very harsh on PJ. I'd rate him in our top 10 players today, I thought he did a really good job in the backline. Chased hard all day, was one of our better contributors. Will hold his spot.

[Jaded No More 68,835]

Rivers coming back will make that issue redundant. PJ is not AFL material.

Correct.

He's a ruckman who can't ruck, and a forward or can't mark.

The backline was the only position in which he didn't look completely terrible.

His endavour is good, and he has pace for such a big bloke, but that's about it.

Mooney kicked 4 posters in the second half, so it's not as if PJ completely nullified him.

We need Rivers back like I need my arm. He is absolutely crucial in holding the backline together.

And I agree with whoever said that Frawley is a must when fit.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

I dont think Mooney had a touch in the 3rd when PJ was forst moved onto him...

[brey9186 102]

what do we think now???

[Old Man Rivers 326]

Rivers coming back will make that issue redundant. PJ is not AFL material.

Glaring hole in defence without Jared Boy.

In a disgraceful team performance today PJ was far from the worst.

He must play over the next month then we can safely judge AFL material or not?

[Red and Blue Flame 179]

agree. Johnson is better than Jamar. Much more mobile. he needs time.. he's played like 3 games over 3 years. needs some consistent game time. But he was good on Mooney today, and you cannot criticise him for his disposal when people like Bate's, were terrible. bate is having a shcoking time.

[Red and Blue Flame 179]

we must realise tho, we have 7 of our best 22, if not 8. Dunn, Rivers, Neitz, Robbo, Bartram, Pickett, Sylvia, Mclean. That's 3 of our spine. and a third of the team out. I know we're played poorly, but it's hard when a third of your team is out. Geelong had only King (wouldn't of made a difference) and steve johnson. The hawks had no one out, and the Saints at the time had only Riewoldt out.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Glaring hole in defence without Jared Boy.

In a disgraceful team performance today PJ was far from the worst.

He must play over the next month then we can safely judge AFL material or not?

Neither Jamar or PJ are AFL material. What dont we know about PJ yet?

[BAMF 4,284]

Mooney was very physical and i was really impressed when PJ went on to him.

Got stuck into the niggle straight away.

PJ was one of the only players trying today. at one point he was running after about 4 geelong players.

the players who were suppose to be playing on them had given up chasing.

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

PJ is very tall and athletic and developing.

Question: How much value is there in trying to further develop Holland. I think maybe Fego has reached his peak as well.

With so many injuries our season is looking bleak (i have even had a look at Big footy drafting forum for predicted top 10 this year).

Could do far worse than give PJ a few games down back where he can use his athletic ability, skills below the knees and ball reading ability. Also as a team our Key position types tend to be a little smaller than other sides. A 198 cm versatile player would add value.

I say give him a few games to see whether he can develop as a back player.

[Old Man Rivers 326]

Neither Jamar or PJ are AFL material. What dont we know about PJ yet?

We dont know if PJ is capable of developing & playing well over a sustained period.

Today he was one of a few to have a go in the 2nd half.

Mooney was throwing his weight around in the 2nd 1/4,picking off Travis & Jones.

PJ stood up to him after half time & gave him something to think about in the physical stakes.

You may be right RR but @ this point of time he should be given the benifiet of the doubt & a chance

to show us what he's got.

You dont win a JJ Liston for nothing, we might be pleasantly surprised.