Alex Johnson

[nomae]

I understand that he doesn't play eye-catching football, being an honest defender and all, but if he doesn't get a nomination for a Rising Star award I'm going to tell The Giesch where to go.

If Jake Batchelor gets a nomination in round 18 over Luke Parker's 26 possessions due to his accumulation of handy games for Richmond then surely AJ is a shoo-in for us in the later rounds. Surely!

[swanspant12]

i was mates with johnny and grew up playing footy with johnno at hawthorn citz and he also went to my school. he used to always save us during games haha! he was a top forward and he played there up until oakleigh, he was a gun forward and midfielder and we used to rely on him until our team become good. i want to see him in the forward line, he is great off the mark and has great mark and kick. however jonnos played a good role at the backline and to be honest i didnt think hed get a game this year but has proved me wrong. been a gun good luck jonno!

[Chilcott]

What school did you go to swanspant12? Obviously, your English teacher fell a bit short when it came to lessons in the use of capital letters.

[Primmy]

Now now Chilly, he did post this at 12.41 am.

I like AJ a lot. No nonsense, get on with it, calm. Probably not eye catching, but in years to come they will notice him. We already do, that's all that counts.

[swanspant12]

What school did you go to swanspant12? Obviously, your English teacher fell a bit short when it came to lessons in the use of capital letters.

xavier college... sorry mateeee was quite tired hopefully next time the use of capital letters will come into place.

[Triple B]

I particularly enjoyed watching AJ in the Swans 'play of the day' on the website, the Shaw to Mummy to AJ to Birdy for a goal.

When Rhyce switches the play, AJ is just a few metres to the open side of Cooney. He appears to immediately envisage what was going to happen and takes off downfield and Cooney can't keep up.

It's almost as if AJ and all of his dozen games of experience said 'C'mon Mr Brownlow Medalist, show us what you've got'.

He had nothing.... AJ sprinted for 70, gained possession and sprinted for another 20 before a beautifully weighted kick off the instep.

Gold.

[wolftone57]

AJ is a wonderful player for us every week not just in a few games. He is one of the most consistent young players in the AFL along with Smith, Hannas & I think Parks will be, Bruest for the Hawks, Jack Watts is going that way for the Demons, Heppall for the Dons. These young players produce week in week out & that is what making a career out of AFL is about. Coaches reward consistency, you can be the most brilliant player in the worls but if you are all over the shop, one week great the next going missing, then you are not much good in the long run.

[aardvark]

He seems to be playing well within himself too. I think he could go up a level yet.

[jono2707]

By far the best find of the season for us.... Keep it up young fella!

[RogueSwan]

... you can be the most brilliant player in the worls but if you are all over the shop, one week great the next going missing, then you are not much good in the long run.

Unless your name is Goodes, Adam Goodes.

[DLBIA14]

Unless your name is Goodes, Adam Goodes.

But to be fair Adam rarely plays absolute shockers. He is not consistently at his brilliant best, but his 'crap' performances measure up well against the average player.

On topic, AJ does deserves some recognition. Although, while the RS judges may be blind, the Swans seem to be pumping him up every chance they get so I don't think he's nearly as outraged as all of us.

[ShockOfHair]

How many stoppers get nominated for Rising Star? Watching AJ is a pleasure because of his reading of the game, but I think you need to be a ball-magnet or a goalkicker to get nominated.

It doesn't help that the RS main man, Kevin Sheehan, doesn't actually watch every game.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/how-the-rising-star-is-picked/story-e6frf9io-1226102502472

[reigning premier]

Completely under rated by most. Has done some great work down back this year. Has fulfilled that dour, frugal type defending role that we used to get out of Bolton. Gives nothing away and is prepared to sacrifice his own game. Outstanding for such a young kid. Him & Reid could very well be the bookends that we've been searching for.

[Hartijon]

Completely under rated by most. Has done some great work down back this year. Has fulfilled that dour, frugal type defending role that we used to get out of Bolton. Gives nothing away and is prepared to sacrifice his own game. Outstanding for such a young kid. Him & Reid could very well be the bookends that we've been searching for.

I'd throw in Luke Parker and you have 3 of the most impressive youngsters we have had for a long time.All have got footy smarts,talent and skill. Interesting that Johnson was a former gun forward...not that we need that..........OMG!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

His kicking greatly worries me. He appears to have a highly unnatural kicking action. He is getting away with it at the moment, just.

I worry that his kicking action will not be able to be worked on either.

JF