Paul Johnson - Key Back????????

[McLean Machine 0]

Why are we playing Paul Johnson as a Key defender at the moment when we have so many on the list. Warnock, Holland, Bizzell, Ferguson, Carroll & Rivers. IMO Rivers & Carroll are the only ones of any quality, now would be a good opportunity to give either Warnock or Ferguson a crack at it & Paul Johnson a go up forward. The players above are wasting valuable spots on our list if they are never going to be picked.

We need to develop our talls to be able to play both ends of the ground, we have no KPP that can make an impact at both ends of the ground, this is why we cannot cover our injuries at the moment, hence being on the bottom of the ladder. Adelaide have plenty of injuries as well but last week played three talls up forward who have all spent a lot of their careers as key defenders.(Perrie, Scott Stevens & Bock).

We will not be a premiership threat until we become more flexible.

[Guest MFC4Life]

Paul Johnson should not be a key defender. i.e he should not be playing directly on a key forward. He never played that position in TAC he played full forward. The only other position he has played is ruck.

If he HAS to play in defense he should be played the way Footscray uses Luke Darcy, as a lose man standing in the space in front of the forwards. He may not be as good a mark as Darcy but he would create a contest.

MFC4Life

[Rogue 585]

Why are we playing Paul Johnson as a Key defender at the moment when we have so many on the list. Warnock, Holland, Bizzell, Ferguson, Carroll & Rivers.

Only Carroll is a key backman - and I guess Holland, who is not good enough to get a regular game and is on his last legs.

Rivers and Bizz are 'third tall' style flankers, and unfortunately I don't think Ferg is ever going to be a key back either. He's never really filled out and while courageous, doesn't have the strength. I haven't seen much of Warnock so I'll take your word on him as a key defender, but he's not there yet.

With Frawley injured and Miller playing forward PJ has been given game time in the backline. I think that's a decent move, because - while I agree he's probably been a forward historically - he's not going to be an AFL-level ruck IMHO.

[McLean Machine 0]

Only Carroll is a key backman - and I guess Holland, who is not good enough to get a regular game and is on his last legs.

Rivers and Bizz are 'third tall' style flankers,

Rivers is a key defender, he is our number 1 key defender & CHB>

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

Not sure why this is such a huge issue. PJ has played two very good games in defence so far, and reads the ball very well. Not as well as Riv, but not far off. The form of Holland, Ferguson and Warnock has not been good enough to warrant them replacing Johnson.

Agree with Bizzell being a flanker, not key position.

[Dee*ceiving 1,207]

I agree with dees rule. He was thrown back in desperation against the Cats and has now acquitted himself well for 6 qtrs. Good efforts should be applauded especially when the team is struggling. Continue to throw the challenge at him to play good football and until he fails he should be given that oppurtunity.

[tallstuey 33]

Can anyone tell me what has happened to Ben Holland please? I don't think he was injured and suspect he was dropped but haven't heard anything about him for a couple of weeks.

I quite like what he did in our back line last year and provides a bit of occasional forward versatility.

Who would you chooses as a back pocket , Holland or P Johnson?

[Guest dee'viator]

Not sure why this is such a huge issue. PJ has played two very good games in defence so far, and reads the ball very well. Not as well as Riv, but not far off. The form of Holland, Ferguson and Warnock has not been good enough to warrant them replacing Johnson.

Agree with Bizzell being a flanker, not key position.

Depends on the "matchup".

[Doggo 32]

He was thrown back in desperation against the Cats and has now acquitted himself well for 6 qtrs. Good efforts should be applauded especially when the team is struggling. Continue to throw the challenge at him to play good football and until he fails he should be given that oppurtunity.

Spot on. If he has done well there so far, why not persist with him until he fails?

[Rogue 585]

Rivers is a key defender, he is our number 1 key defender & CHB>

Agree to disagree then =)

[QueenC 74]

Rivers is a key defender, he is our number 1 key defender & CHB>

Agree to disagree then =)

It would probably be better if he wasn't, but he is.

And he did a really good job last night !!!

[Adzman 2,085]

I though PJ playing back was as clear as day. Buckets is coming to the end of his career (chances are this year will be his last-will miss the big ugly fella) and someone will need to step into the fold asap. Fergo has been tried.....not happening. Rivo is far too valuable at CHB,and Carrol needs to go to the number one spearhead. The resting ruckman type forward needs attention, so PJ is the easy choice, as jamar cannot read the play coming into defence, and White loves to float around the middle and handball.

I think PJ is a short term thing until the dees get a 200+cm defender.

There is no secret the dees will take a broom though the current listed defenders at season end. on the list of gones will most likely include-bizz, fergo, holland, ward, wheatus. Pj will step in, and Warnock will be given his chance along with chip frawley. (pettard should move into the backline-he has the composure of a 100 game player)