Chris Johnson

[hells bells 2,023]

At the start of the season I thought he was in for a great year (had him in my Dream Team) but now I'm beginning to think maybe he doesn't have "IT" and isn't going to make the grade...

If he was going to make it I would thought he would've walked into a Half Back Flank position this year, instead we've seen Brown, Ward and even Petterd stake solid claims for these spots. Considering the injuries and poor form we've had and the fact that he hasn't been able to consolidate a position in the team I'm not sure he's got what it takes. From all reports the game he played at Sandy after his ordinary in Sydney was poor also.

I've seen him a few times at Sandy and I can’t decide if he's either lazy or just looks lackadaisical. Either way I’ve got a feeling he’s at the cross-roads. He’s got time on his side I suppose but I hope he doesn't go the way of the Steve Armstrong, Scott Thompson ilk.

Something needs to change for him. Maybe he needs a change in role, maybe a run-with role in the midfield might be what he needs to get some confidence, something.

Any opinions, anyone else share my concerns?

Hells

[sylvinator 96]

i too thought C.Johnson would be a huge improver this year, a certain starting 18 after his impressive preseason...

he has dissapointed and is too slow, has poor awareness and does not read the play well.

he is a flanker and there are so many that are before him

whelan, pettard, bell, yze, brown, ward, green, davey and others are all justifiably ahead of him for the flanker spots.

i hope he can improve but he hasnt even shown glimpses in the games hes played.

if he still cannot push for selection by years end he should be delisted. dramatic improvements are needed to his game if he is to play next season

[Old Man Rivers 326]

At the start of the season I thought he was in for a great year (had him in my Dream Team) but now I'm beginning to think maybe he doesn't have "IT" and isn't going to make the grade...

If he was going to make it I would thought he would've walked into a Half Back Flank position this year, instead we've seen Brown, Ward and even Petterd stake solid claims for these spots. Considering the injuries and poor form we've had and the fact that he hasn't been able to consolidate a position in the team I'm not sure he's got what it takes. From all reports the game he played at Sandy after his ordinary in Sydney was poor also.

I've seen him a few times at Sandy and I can’t decide if he's either lazy or just looks lackadaisical. Either way I’ve got a feeling he’s at the cross-roads. He’s got time on his side I suppose but I hope he doesn't go the way of the Steve Armstrong, Scott Thompson ilk.

Something needs to change for him. Maybe he needs a change in role, maybe a run-with role in the midfield might be what he needs to get some confidence, something.

Any opinions, anyone else share my concerns?

Hells

Hasn't taken his best game onto the Park @ present.

He was awesome back in March V The Tigers - But how much weight does that performance now carry?

Get him out of the backline, play him Half Forward & let him create.

Must get an extended chance in the run home of 2007.

[Johnny Karate 559]

Definitely has ability as an outside flanker type.

Needs to get more involved and not spectate at AFL level - that is the reason why players like Ward and Brown (who have less natural ability) get in the side ahead of him because they DON'T spectate.

[occo 2]

I dont see anything in johnson. I never really have. But we picked him up at an early age and we have responsibility to give him a good run. I would bring him in seing as we cant make the finals and that way if he hasnt improved in 15 rounds we will know. I would hate to see him leave like arma and do well.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,360]

Hasn't got what it takes to be an AFL player and is justifiably not getting games after a promising pre-season.

Case closed.

[drdrake 3,123]

I feel sorry for this guy he is a winger HFF but it seems everytime he gets a game a AFL level he is played all over the ground like a Mr Fix it. I would like to see him play 4-5 weeks in a row on a wing or hff before you can make this call. He has the skills a little slow but lets see him string 4-5 games together. He may be lucky this year because we have a few older players that will be delisted before him. I would take him the Perth this week hopefully stars and we can offer him and a high draft pick for Judd.

[Gouga 560]

drdrake your post loses credibility when you mention trading Johnson for Judd.

Chris Johnson is the only father-son on our list. I actually think that status might buy him another year.

He is young and will be on our list next year. But being on our list is only one thing.

He is danger of being squeezed out by the new breed. A post has mentioned that Daniher is reluctant to play him. If that is the case there must be something about Johnson we don't know?

I personally like him, but the game against Sydney was a disaster.

[drdrake 3,123]

It was a joke about trading him for Judd

[Gouga 560]

I probably should have got your joke! Taking my football way to seriously this year!

[Guest baysidedave]

It was a joke about trading him for Judd

with 3 draft picks, and they can have Byron as well, what other WA's do we have?

[drdrake 3,123]

throw in a Queenslander CHF as well for Hanson direct swap

[Jarka 767]

Hasn't got what it takes to be an AFL player and is justifiably not getting games after a promising pre-season.

Case closed.

I'm glad you weren't in charge at Melbourne when R.D.Barrassi first started playing, he was very avearge untill Smith decided to give him a go as a ruck rover.....

Players like Ward, Brown, Miller, Godfrey and Jamar have played for years, often putting in below par performances that would see them getting delisted at most other clubs. They're given game time over and over again to prove themselves, which pisses me off when I talented kid like CJ is played off the bench for a game (or perhaps two) and then immediately dropped the following week.

How is he meant to be able to build confidence to perform well under those circumstances? He knows everytime he plays that if he doesn't have a great game he is the first one dropped from an under performing team, I couldn't begin to imagine the sort of pressure he is under.

[occo 2]

while were on WCE lets trade Miller + C.Johnson + Ward + Brown + Warnock + Neaves + Jamar for C.Judd + D.Kerr + A. Hunter + D.Cox + D. Glass + B.Staker + Q.Lynch. Yahhh

[drdrake 3,123]

That sounds like a fair deal why don't we completely raid the west and give Godfrey to Fremantle for Pav

[grazman 7,279]

I've always liked CJ, he moves well, reads the play and has great skills, he had a great preseason and I though this would be the year he would come of age. I see him very much as a wingman. Danner's doesn't seem to like him though. Since the preseason he hasn't really demanded selection with his performances, but then the coaches lack of confidence in him is also apparent. I hope he gets [censored] off enough to get out on the park and demand selection.

[Rogue 585]

CJ needs confidence. For that to happen he needs some faith shown in him - an extended run in the seniors, and extended time on the ground when he plays. He also needs to be able to settle into one or two spots. I don't know where he's played his junior footy but I imagine rotating around the HFF/wing might be a good start.

If we show him some faith in the last half of the season then we give him the best chance of showing he's got something at AFL level. I can't imagine he's got much confidence considering he's generally the scapegoat whenever we fail, despite being given limited opportunities.

Anyhow I doubt he'll be delisted - he's only 21 in '07. Guys like Brown, Ward, Holland, Pickett, Jamar, and Ferguson are all in front of him atm, and the inevitable departures of Brown (31) and Ward (30) sometime soon might create some more opportunities.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,360]

I'm glad you weren't in charge at Melbourne when R.D.Barrassi first started playing, he was very avearge untill Smith decided to give him a go as a ruck rover.....

Players like Ward, Brown, Miller, Godfrey and Jamar have played for years, often putting in below par performances that would see them getting delisted at most other clubs. They're given game time over and over again to prove themselves, which pisses me off when I talented kid like CJ is played off the bench for a game (or perhaps two) and then immediately dropped the following week.

How is he meant to be able to build confidence to perform well under those circumstances? He knows everytime he plays that if he doesn't have a great game he is the first one dropped from an under performing team, I couldn't begin to imagine the sort of pressure he is under.

I'm just convinced he hasn't got it. Skills are reasonable but he just doesn't have anything that the average VFL player hasn't already got....IE - STAMP HIS AUTHORITY ON AN AFL GAME!!!

He played 2 fairly good games against Wet Toast and St.Kilda in rounds 9 and 10 last year, but then went missing from rounds 11-15 during our winning streak. Then when called up to a round 19 injury depleted side against Sydney, he struggled big time with 8 or so touches and was never seen again for 2006.

Now 2007 arrives and he teases us with 2 supreme performances in the NAB Cup and rightly earns a round 1 gig. However his first 2 games for the season was un-AFL like (averaging 10 touches) and the club had no choice but to drop him. Its simple really.

His round 5 performance against Sydney was poor as well. You just can't keep throwing games at blokes that are not up to it.

[grazman 7,279]

CJ needs confidence. For that to happen he needs some faith shown in him - an extended run in the seniors, and extended time on the ground when he plays. He also needs to be able to settle into one or two spots. I don't know where he's played his junior footy but I imagine rotating around the HFF/wing might be a good start.

If we show him some faith in the last half of the season then we give him the best chance of showing he's got something at AFL level. I can't imagine he's got much confidence considering he's generally the scapegoat whenever we fail, despite being given limited opportunities.

Anyhow I doubt he'll be delisted - he's only 21 in '07. Guys like Brown, Ward, Holland, Pickett, Jamar, and Ferguson are all in front of him atm, and the inevitable departures of Brown (31) and Ward (30) sometime soon might create some more opportunities.

Rogue you've got my vote, BTW He was selected in the U16 Aus side as a CHF. He won't be delisted.

[grazman 7,279]

I'm just convinced he hasn't got it. Skills are reasonable but he just doesn't have anything that the average VFL player hasn't already got.

He played 2 fairly good games against Wet Toast and St.Kilda in rounds 9 and 10 last year, but then went missing from rounds 11-15 during our winning streak. Then when called up to a round 19 injury depleted side against Sydney, he struggled big time with 8 or so touches and was never seen again for 2006.

Now 2007 arrives and he teases us with 2 supreme performances in the NAB Cup and rightly earns a round 1 gig. However his first 2 games for the season was un-AFL like (averaging 10 touches) and the club had no choice but to drop him. Its simple really.

His round 5 performance against Sydney was poor as well. You just can't keep throwing games at blokes that are not up to it.

How can he not have it and then be able to tease us with NAB cup performances - surely it must be there. I don't think its fair to quote stats at a bloke that spends more than half the game on the bench. I can live with him being dropped - he needs to come back mentally tougher.

[Jaded No More 67,643]

He'll make it, but probably not in red & blue...

I'm completely perplexed by the lack of confidence shown in him. Yes, he has previously just gone at senior level, but why does he deserve less leniency and patience than the rest of the side?

Why does Ward get one week off, then straight back into the side, but CJ gets extended periods at Sandy, where he almost always plays well.

I'd be very disappointed if we don't see him play consistently for the rest of the season, and he would be better off asking for a trade if that was the case.

[Rogue 585]

I'd be very disappointed if we don't see him play consistently for the rest of the season, and he would be better off asking for a trade if that was the case.

Ward and Brown aren't going to be around too much longer, and that's going to free up some more opportunities. I imagine that might help CJ get a gig, even if it's not as a direct replacement for those guys in the backline.

Rogue you've got my vote, BTW He was selected in the U16 Aus side as a CHF. He won't be delisted.

Thanks - interesting regarding CJ.

[Doggo 32]

Players like Ward, Brown, Miller, Godfrey and Jamar have played for years, often putting in below par performances that would see them getting delisted at most other clubs. They're given game time over and over again to prove themselves, which pisses me off when I talented kid like CJ is played off the bench for a game (or perhaps two) and then immediately dropped the following week.

How is he meant to be able to build confidence to perform well under those circumstances? He knows everytime he plays that if he doesn't have a great game he is the first one dropped from an under performing team, I couldn't begin to imagine the sort of pressure he is under.

Jarka has hit the nail on the head here.

I think he'll make it, as Jaded said, if not for Melbourne, then for another club that is willing to let him find his feet at senior level.

He clearly has the talent and poise, as well as the size and shape to become a solid, versatile "modern AFL player", more so than the older players who are in the side ahead of him, but is really just lacking confidence -- in himself, and in the coaching staff. He may have been sub-par in his performances in the home-away games this year so far, but what is the worth of playing the aformentioned players above him this season, being a lost cause already after 7 weeks? We already know the Ward's and Brown's (and to a lesser extent Biz, who the game has passed by) are NOT up to IT... so lets see if CJ is! We've seen what he is capable of before (for a few weeks in '06, in the NAB cup this year, and as a consistently good player at VFL level) and the talent he has shown, why not nurture it?

The difference betwen not being good enough, and not having the chance to show you ARE good enough is not a whole lot.

I like the kid, think he has all the attributes to become a good player. Just needs to be on the park for more than a half at a time, and be persisted with. FWIW, I think persistence is the key to unlocking players talents. Just look at the Ron Barassi / Norm Smith example... Now i'm not saying he'll be as good as Barass, but he will be a good player given the chance, i (almost) guarantee it. Better than Ward, Brown, Godfrey etc have been over the course of their 100+ game careers.

I think we'll find this year (and already have after just 2 weeks in the #2 ruck spot) that CJ's namesake Paul Johnson will be good enough-- he just needed that time on the park to prove his worth to the side over Jamar's. We know Jamar is NOT good enough, because he has been given ample opportunity on a week-to week basis to show something, but there are obviously several things lacking from his game that are required at the top level (main one being skill). PJ is now showing, after some faith (and opportunity) has been given to him, that he may well be better than many here thought, and clearly better than Jamar.

Same will happen to CJ if he is given a go, and shown some faith in. Rather than just playing the Brown's/Ward's etc, who we know of already, and in particular, we know what they are/are not capable of...

If we want to move forward after this horror season, CJ and guys of the like must be persisted with. We'll know after 15 weeks if he is up to IT.

[QueenC 74]

I think he'll make it, as Jaded said, if not for Melbourne, then for another club that is willing to let him find his feet at senior level.......

If we want to move forward after this horror season, CJ and guys of the like must be persisted with. We'll know after 15 weeks if he is up to IT.

I posted something similar to this on another thread but it seems more appropriate here.....

I agree with Doggo and others, who have said that now is the time to see if Chris actually has what it takes at the senior level consistently, because up until this point I honestly don't think we have seen enough of him over any stretch of time to make an informed opinion one way or another.

He seems to be the perennial one dropped after a loss if he didn't have a commanding game, which he hasn't really had the chance to have yet (at least in the regular season). But on the other hand he hasn't exactly been the most horrible one out there in our losses to date either. No more scapegoating.

Honestly his confidence must be totally shredded by this point, and that is not going to do him or us any favours in the long run. Especially if, as Jaded has said, he gets his opportunity to make something of himself at another club before he gets the chance to do the same at ours. That would be ordinary for us IMO.

I would think that giving him at least four to five, or even more weeks on end (minimum) to see if the kid can make something of it, especially in a particular position on the field instead of being chucked all over the place like some kind of footballing positional nomad is a bad idea.

I don't think that this would or should be out of the question, especially now and it may just prove to be to our benefit in the long term.

[Lord Travis 10,461]

CJ has been poor this year, no denying that. He doesn't have good awareness. Seen him get run down far too many times for someone of his speed and supposed talent. The kid has great skills, but hasn't put it together yet. He's safe this year, as there are many ahead of him who would get the chop first. But if he doesn't start to solidify a spot in the team next year, then he's gone.