Lewis Johnston a Chance to get a Call Up.

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • DST
    The voice of reason!
    • Jan 2003
    • 2705

    #31
    Originally posted by Plugger46
    Play him. Perfect opportunity.

    Melbourne played Watts when he wasn't ready and he's starting to look alright.
    They played Watts when he had no pre-season and coming off a handfull of reserves games and it put back his development by a full 12 months according to sources at Melbourne.

    Funny how this year they made him do a full preseason and then a 10 game stint in the reserves even before they considered him.

    Play LJ if you want too, just don't whinge when he doesn't get another game for 12 months becuase he wasn't ready and we played him for the sake of it.

    He is getting closer and looks to have strung the game and form together consistently over the last 4 weeks which is what the club asked for, but the decision by the club should not to play him because we have no one else or that he is young. It should be because he is ready and earned it.

    DST
    "Looking forward to a rebuilt, new, fast and exciting Swans model in 2010"

    Comment

    • Melbourne_Blood
      Senior Player
      • May 2010
      • 3312

      #32
      I hardly think LJ has the pressure on him or hype surronding him that Jack Watts had. I doubt many non Swans supporters have even heard of him. Sure they are comparable in some ways, but Watts was barely 18 when he debuted, and was clearly not ready mentally or physically. LJ may not be either but he doesn't have anywhere near the psychological baggage that must come with being a number 1 draft pick ( that many believe was the worng choice), particularly at a struggling Melbourne club begging for a Saviour.

      Comment

      • Bas
        Veterans List
        • Jan 2003
        • 4457

        #33
        Looking at them today, LJ is more solid than TDL. Might be the electro-static hair do. Put both of them together and you get the Jesse White physique.
        In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.

        Comment

        • liz
          Veteran
          Site Admin
          • Jan 2003
          • 16787

          #34
          Originally posted by Bas
          Looking at them today, LJ is more solid than TDL. Might be the electro-static hair do. Put both of them together and you get the Jesse White physique.
          I suspect the issue with LJ is less physique and more whether he has the endurance base to contribute at senior level. TDL is 3 years older, and although he was only playing in the WAFL until the end of last year, he has still probably done more intense training for a longer period than Johnston will have been able to do. Plus he played for the whole of last year and got in a full pre-season while Johnston was on the side-lines with foot problems.

          That said, about a month ago one of the reserves coaches announced that he though LJ was ready for senior footy now if the opportunity came his way. His reserves form since then has been reasonable to very good. So given we have almost no tall forwards available for selection other than LJ, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get a go. On the other hand, I am not expecting him to come in and set the world on fire from game one.

          Comment

          • Bas
            Veterans List
            • Jan 2003
            • 4457

            #35
            I agree Liz. Everyone says play the kids BUT then don't allow for the mistakes that they make because of their lack of experience.
            In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.

            Comment

            • Legs Akimbo
              Grand Poobah
              • Apr 2005
              • 2809

              #36
              Originally posted by DST
              They played Watts when he had no pre-season and coming off a handfull of reserves games and it put back his development by a full 12 months according to sources at Melbourne.

              Funny how this year they made him do a full preseason and then a 10 game stint in the reserves even before they considered him.

              Play LJ if you want too, just don't whinge when he doesn't get another game for 12 months becuase he wasn't ready and we played him for the sake of it.

              He is getting closer and looks to have strung the game and form together consistently over the last 4 weeks which is what the club asked for, but the decision by the club should not to play him because we have no one else or that he is young. It should be because he is ready and earned it.

              DST
              Specifically, what 'damage' is done - physical, emotional or psychological?

              Crikey, we're not sending them to war.
              He had observed that people who did lie were, on the whole, more resourceful and ambitious and successful than people who did not lie.

              Comment

              • Number 43
                Warming the Bench
                • Dec 2008
                • 168

                #37
                Saw LJ train today. Looked very good. Kicking was a bit off though. Might go well in a forward pocket.

                Comment

                • rojo
                  Opti-pessi-misti
                  • Mar 2009
                  • 1103

                  #38
                  What about Currie? How would he go? Surely he has got to get a game sometime and it doesn't look like its going to be in the ruck. Or is he in the same position as LJ - not quite ready physically.

                  Comment

                  • DeadlyAkkuret
                    Veterans List
                    • Oct 2006
                    • 4547

                    #39
                    Considering a few of the comments directed at TDL after his first game I fear for Johnston if he doesn't kick 6 on debut.

                    Comment

                    • Primmy
                      Proud Tragic Swan
                      • Apr 2008
                      • 5970

                      #40
                      Originally posted by Legs Akimbo
                      Specifically, what 'damage' is done - physical, emotional or psychological?

                      Crikey, we're not sending them to war.
                      Yes we are.
                      If you've never jumped from one couch to the other to save yourself from lava then you didn't have a childhood

                      Comment

                      • Damien
                        Living in 2005
                        • Jan 2003
                        • 3713

                        #41
                        The Jack Watts situation was much different, he was clearly not ready for AFL last year and made his debut in spotlight, then had to deal with the Natanui comparisons. His confidence was destroyed.

                        Has anyone in the AFL media actually mentioned TDL this week? Will anyone care that Lewis might be debuting? This is the right time to be debuting someone like Lewis, IMO, there is no pressure on our younger players from outside and the media barely cares - go for it.

                        Comment

                        • Plugger46
                          Senior Player
                          • Apr 2003
                          • 3674

                          #42
                          Originally posted by DST
                          They played Watts when he had no pre-season and coming off a handfull of reserves games and it put back his development by a full 12 months according to sources at Melbourne.

                          Funny how this year they made him do a full preseason and then a 10 game stint in the reserves even before they considered him.

                          Play LJ if you want too, just don't whinge when he doesn't get another game for 12 months becuase he wasn't ready and we played him for the sake of it.

                          He is getting closer and looks to have strung the game and form together consistently over the last 4 weeks which is what the club asked for, but the decision by the club should not to play him because we have no one else or that he is young. It should be because he is ready and earned it.

                          DST
                          Sources at Melbourne? Who exactly?

                          How did it set him back 12 months - it's only 12 months since he made his debut.

                          Just maybe, playing him early showed him the level he needed to get to. He got a taste and with all of the injuries, it's time for Lewis to get a taste.

                          I'm not expecting big things and if we didn't have injuries, he wouldn't be in the mix but unless the club strongly believe that playing him will affect his development, then I think it's the perfect opportunity.
                          Bloods

                          "Lockett is the best of all time" - Robert Harvey, Darrel Baldock, Nathan Burke, Kevin Bartlett, Bob Skilton

                          Comment

                          • aardvark
                            Veterans List
                            • Mar 2010
                            • 5685

                            #43
                            And Jack Watts is still rubbish anyway.

                            Comment

                            • swansrule100
                              The quarterback
                              • May 2004
                              • 4538

                              #44
                              theres nothing to lose playing johnston, worst case he has a poor game, but at the least the club are sending him a signal that he is on the right track, motivate him to keep going. Who knows might snag a goal or two. Not like there isnt a spot with playfair injured last week.
                              Theres not much left to say

                              Comment

                              • royboy42
                                Senior Player
                                • Apr 2006
                                • 2078

                                #45
                                Originally posted by CJK
                                It is a puzzle.
                                Rohan did not complete training yesterday..handball drills only. It's the original NAB cup imjury resurfacing..two weeks min.

                                Comment

                                Working...