Paul Johnson

[Dee Dee 1,126]

In that early game against Geelong last season PJ was moved onto Cam Mooney sometime in the second half. Mooney had been dominating and Johnson, while not beating him outright at least kept him quiet.

People say he isn't fast but on that day he kept pace with Mooney and was able to spoil and harass quite effectively.

I thought then that he could make an effective backman - still do. (Or to put it another way - could be used effectively on the backline)

Johnson is to my mind a more rounded player than Jamar offering the team more options, forward, back and in the ruck.

I noticed last season how well he presented himself at kick ins and how the kicker often took the option of going for Johnson.

Obviously a sign that his team mates had confidence in him and his marking.

In 2006 his overhead marking was (to say the least) poor. Last season it improved dramatically. He is still not a strong overhead mark, however given that improvement between the 06 and 07 seasons I believe there is every reason to be hopeful of further improvement leading up to the 2008 season.

[Premiers '08 0]

Forward pocket.

This way he is a big marking option for a long bomb.

It's either that or a CHF but the FP would suit him better.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

He is actually a beautiful kick, I think that it is just a matter of confidence.

PJ not being good over-head is an outdated myth IMO. This season his marking dramatically improved and he has shown much more than Jamar ever will.

Riley should never have dropped him.

Truth is he is an indifferent kick. If confidence is a problem and it is, his ability to produce good kicking during the pressure of game undermines any kicking style that he might have.

PJ is not good overhead either as a ruck or as a marking option. Any improvement he has show, dramatically or otherwise has been off a low base that was not AFL standard.

Nashers comments sum it perfectly. He either makes it as a ruckman or he is delisted.

[Pello 1]

His best position actually is full forward. He leads very well knowing where to lead and when. If he gets a metre on his opponent he is very difficult to spoil legally. The trouble is that with Neita and Juice in the team there is no room for him. I would keep trying to develop him as a ruck option but one you can throw forward if our forwards are having a bad day or there are injuries.

[Daniel 0]

PJ went to John Paul College in frankston, the school that i attended.. i have seen the signature, it made me giggle

[davey_magik 1]

The CHF idea isn't a bad one actually, certainly something I'd try out during the NAB Cup if I was Bailey. Bate won't be big enough to play CHF but having Newton at least gives us flexibility in the future as I am confident he could play either CHF or FF and star.