AJ Watch

[RichardLong]

IMO, realistically, he won't be selected until he displays confidence in his body again. So when he starts throwing himself into contests like he used to. They won't risk him.
This year will be used to get him running around and 're-learning' the game. As 5 years out is a long long time in modern footy.
Expect to see him held back and given a red hot crack at a full pre-season before senior selection.

Would be the fairytale ending to see him back in the seniors, but unlikely.

Removing him off the long term injury list also has a contractual bearing, I'd assume.

[swansrob]

Removing him off the long term injury list also has a contractual bearing, I'd assume.

What "contractual bearing" would that be? His removal from the LTIL was essential process to allow him to play NEAFL

[mcs]

Why can't AJ get two best on grounds in the reserves and put his hand up for seniors?

Don't limit him. He has taken the elephants over the alps. Rome awaits and he is not stopping.

Gee the hyperbole is reminiscent of someone I used to know on here, can't quite recall his name....

If he gets to that stage, then I think we will all be in agreement that he should be considered for seniors. But I was there for his baby steps on Saturday, and that outcome is a fair way off at this stage.... one week at a time, but I expect the club will be stoked if he can get up to full match time in the NEAFL before the end of the year and contributing satisfactorily over a complete game, then expected BOGs week in week out.

[Club 80]

Problem for Hannibal was that while he was scaling the Alps the Romans razed Carthage

I know. Hannibal needed to put more pressure on Rome. Amazing effort to go over the Alps and almost save Carthage.

One of the amazing leaders in history.

[Club 80]

Gee the hyperbole is reminiscent of someone I used to know on here, can't quite recall his name....

If he gets to that stage, then I think we will all be in agreement that he should be considered for seniors. But I was there for his baby steps on Saturday, and that outcome is a fair way off at this stage.... one week at a time, but I expect the club will be stoked if he can get up to full match time in the NEAFL before the end of the year and contributing satisfactorily over a complete game, then expected BOGs week in week out.

You know who I am MCS.

I've done my time in the Sandpit.

Looking forward to AJ's progress and I've been very impressed by your posts.

Thanks for all the great posts on the Canberra game.

[Nico]

Why can't AJ get two best on grounds in the reserves and put his hand up for seniors?

Don't limit him. He has taken the elephants over the alps. Rome awaits and he is not stopping.

Lets not forget he only played about 4 IIRC before he got selected for the seniors. The little footage I saw of him from the weekend looked like he is in good nick. Maybe a couple more than that, but 2 BOG's will surely do it. Dare to dream.

[Ludwig]

I know. Hannibal needed to put more pressure on Rome. Amazing effort to go over the Alps and almost save Carthage.

One of the amazing leaders in history.

Ludwig advised Hannibal to take bicycles instead of elephants, but he didn't listen. Ludwig cycled over the Alps, got to Rome without a problem, painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and went home to find his house wasn't sacked.

The problem with Hannibal was that he wasn't a good listener. Ludwig told Hannibal that those Pubic Wars were not worth fighting. There were already plenty of pubes in Carthage and there was no reason trying get Rome's pubes as well. Ludwig said "Hanni, why don't you just take your elephant down to the local pube, have a few beers, and forget this crazy idea."

[dejavoodoo44]

Ludwig advised Hannibal to take bicycles instead of elephants, but he didn't listen. Ludwig cycled over the Alps, got to Rome without a problem, painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and went home to find his house wasn't sacked.

The problem with Hannibal was that he wasn't a good listener. Ludwig told Hannibal that those Pubic Wars were not worth fighting. There were already plenty of pubes in Carthage and there was no reason trying get Rome's pubes as well. Ludwig said "Hanni, why don't you just take your elephant down to the local pube, have a few beers, and forget this crazy idea."

Yes, Hannibal should have stuck to a peaceful life of farming and enjoyed the silence of the lambs.

[Thunder Shaker]

It's so good to see an injury list with AJ not on it.

[India'sDad]

And who else will be fronting their first NEAFL game this weekend to welcome him back?

[CureTheSane]

It's so good to see an injury list with AJ not on it.

I was going to say the same. Been a long time.

I'd be disappointed if AJ plays seniors this year.
Can't see how it could happen. He'd have to really tear it up in the NEAFL and demand that spot, but realistically, from now till the end of the season is gaining match fitness, football smarts and the proper attitude etc.
Still, if he was brought in for a game this year I wouldn't complain, and go with the romance of it all.

[mcs]

Lets not forget he only played about 4 IIRC before he got selected for the seniors. The little footage I saw of him from the weekend looked like he is in good nick. Maybe a couple more than that, but 2 BOG's will surely do it. Dare to dream.

Nico, the short highlights may have suggested he was 'in good nick', but it was very clear for those at the ground that he is a long way off being ready to return to AFL footy. He had a couple of excellent moments - the goal he kicked, a nice kick to set up Rose inside 50, a crunching tackle in the 2nd quarter. But in totem, as one would expect, he was relatively quiet and not overly involved in the play - especially taking into account that the Canberra team was well down on troops and as a result well and truly ready for a beating. Hopefully his next game on Saturday will see him a bit more involved, a bit more confident in his body. As I keep saying, baby steps in terms of output and expectations. It'll need a truly remarkable incline in his performance for him to be ready for seniors this year - but who knows what might happen.

- - - Updated - - -

It's so good to see an injury list with AJ not on it.

I thought the same thing - awesome outcome

[barry]

I'd be disappointed if AJ plays seniors this year.

Wow, harsh on the poor kid.

A hard arse would say AJ has the rest of 2017 to prove he's worth keeping on the list, and therefore a senior recall would be his goal.
If he's knee is fine, and he's not pushing for selection, you'd have to ask why he is on our list.

The club isnt that hard arse, so likely they will give him 2018, but that would need to be his breakout year. They were patient with Heath James, but once he overcame his injuries, he was given a chance to prove his worth, and he couldnt, so was cut. So their is precedent.

[RogueSwan]

He did originally get (almost) straight into the seniors and you would have the believe that is what he is aiming for right now.
The question could be asked who will get back into the Snrs first, Tippo or AJ? ????

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[mcs]

Wow, harsh on the poor kid.

A hard arse would say AJ has the rest of 2017 to prove he's worth keeping on the list, and therefore a senior recall would be his goal.
If he's knee is fine, and he's not pushing for selection, you'd have to ask why he is on our list.

The club isnt that hard arse, so likely they will give him 2018, but that would need to be his breakout year. They were patient with Heath James, but once he overcame his injuries, he was given a chance to prove his worth, and he couldnt, so was cut. So their is precedent.

There is a fair amount of difference between Heath James and AJ - while the multiple injuries bit is a consistent theme between the two, that is about it. Heath James played what about 18 games over 7 or 8 seasons. AJ played 45 in less than 2 seasons before the first knee injury. AJ was proven to well and truly be good enough at the top level - I'm not sure one could ever say that about Heath (though my memory of him was there were clear signs of good levels of ability - just they came with an almost permanent sicknote attached).

There is no doubt Johnson will still be on our list in 2018 in almost every circumstance (the only one one could think of where he wont be is if the non-mentionable was to happen and everyone decided 'enough is enough' - but that is not going to happen!!!) - the club won't have given him almost 4 full seasons to recover and then throw him out on the basis of half a dozen weeks of footy....