Will...

Rohan · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2003 7:08 pm

Ryhce Shaw nudge out Ben Johnson out of the back pocket?

Fradam · Joined: 21 Jun 1999 Location: Bendigo, Victoria

Tough call Rohan, I'm not convinced about either of them.

Rowdy26 · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2003 8:17 pm

johnno goes in hard at every ball always putting his body on the line. You need these guys in the team. Much like we need Jarrod showing those qualities. In the mid to late 90's this is one area where we really struggled, we didnt have the players who went as hard as Johnno does. I think they are vital to the success of the team. Sure there are some aspects of his game that still require work, however he is a workhorse and when the going gets tough you know he'll stand up. Shawy has looked the goods in the preseason comp, I dont know if he'll "replace" johnson during the season however. Maybe there's room for both of them. If they're both performing well then the pressure will be on others in the team, rather than each of them fighting for the same position.

In direct response to your question, no i dont think shaw will nudge johnson out of the back pocket (unless johnson was to move further up the ground), but thats not to say shawy wont be in the team at the same time.

Culprit · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Port Melbourne

I think he has nudge Freeza out, but then again the real stuff has not started yet.

MAGPIRA · Joined: 08 May 2001

Excellent call Roh.....I was just having this conversation yesterday. At this point Rhyce has been relatively good, his damaging pace has been great running out of the backline but I'm not so sure about his ability as a stopper, where as BJ has been good (at times) in that area, and provides some run also. I can't really comment on disposal by foot as they both need work on that! But IMO, BJ is a lot harder and has settled into our back six.

It is hard to judge now as BJ has just returned from injury and needs a few games to get back into it. BJ will be first choice IMO.

Rohan · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:30 pm

Crikeys Mags!

I'm actually leaning towards Shawry. Johnson has a great heart and isn't a fashionable footballer. His efforts in the QF showed how he can stick to a task despite pressure from a dangerous opponent in Burgoyne.

IMO Shaw will be very deseperate to retain his place on the list this year and may give him an extra drive over someone like Johnson who really has done it in the past.

Shaw's foot disposal has improved in leaps and bounds over the summer.

The success of this team atm is built around the rebounding of Lokan, Clement and Shaw from the backline.

mandy · Joined: 03 Jun 2001 Location: Glen Iris

creedymagpie · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Location: Berwick

I cant believe people are thinking about the answer!

The way Johnno played in the finals last year would have had all coaches keeping a close eye.

Johnno by a mile for me!

Shaw is doing OK at the moment but its only the Wizard Cup dont get carried away, if halfway through the season he is playing better than Johnno then ask the question again.

Rohan · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 12:21 am

champagne leon · Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Location: Brisbane

lets remember shaw and kinnear get a guernsey evey year in the preseason and maybe show a little, but as soon as the real stuff starts, see ya later....
jonno by a country mile for me !

DaicsTonguePoke · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Location: Abbotsford, Melbourne

I think even though his disposal is sometimes dodgy, Johnson did some very good things last year. His attack on the footy is fantastic. Shaw still needs to prove himself in the real stuff to get ahead of Benny.

MissMagpie_20 · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 1:48 pm

Johnno by a mile!