AJ Watch

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  • crackedactor
    Regular in the Side
    • May 2012
    • 919

    Originally posted by mcs
    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....
    James never proved he could play at the Top Level. AJ already has the score on the board, just look at his first half in the 2012 GF and you will understand the Swans Persistence. I don't want to see AJ play senior footy this year and it would be too much especially without a pre season. Just hoping his body can hold up and be ready for a pre season build up in 2018. For what its worth, not seeing AJ on the Injury list feels a bit weird!!

    Comment

    • RichardLong
      On the Rookie List
      • May 2017
      • 45

      Originally posted by barry
      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.
      Heath James wasn't a premiership Defender!

      Comment

      • liz
        Veteran
        Site Admin
        • Jan 2003
        • 16818

        Disagree on the assessments of James. He didn't achieve as many games but he definitely showed he belonged at the top level.

        I don't know that there's a whole amount of difference in the faith shown by the club in the two players. They stuck with Heath a long time too. It's just that the club (and he) finally had to accept he was never going to recover from his various injuries. That day may yet come for AJ. But, for now, it hasn't and we can still keep our fingers crossed that it won't.

        Comment

        • CureTheSane
          Carpe Noctem
          • Jan 2003
          • 5032

          Originally posted by barry
          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.
          I like how you selectively quoted me.

          I get caught up in the ups and downs of selections, particularly in the GF.
          After last year, I have swung around to the train of thought that 100% fitness is required.
          I believe that we suffered playing players who weren't 100%
          Is it worth playing AJ for sentimental reasons, given the season we're having?
          Nope.
          He has to earn it.
          And if Dawson can't get a game, and if Mitchell couldn't work his way into the side when he was dominating the reserves, then it's hard to see the club gifting him a game.
          And that's what it would be.
          As I said, unless he comes out and blazes through the reserves and demands his spot.
          I'd like nothing more than for him to be wearing another necklace at the end of the year.
          But realistically.....
          The difference between insanity and genius is measured only in success.

          Comment

          • barry
            Veterans List
            • Jan 2003
            • 8499

            We dont have a 100% fitness requirement to play in the team.

            I think AJ will fall somewhere in between Mcveigh (coach favourite, who only has to play half a game in the 2's) and Dawson (never gets a go) as far as warranting selection.

            The question would become, who would AJ replace in the current side ?

            Comment

            • Markwebbos
              Veterans List
              • Jul 2016
              • 7186

              Originally posted by barry
              We dont have a 100% fitness requirement to play in the team.

              I think AJ will fall somewhere in between Mcveigh (coach favourite, who only has to play half a game in the 2's) and Dawson (never gets a go) as far as warranting selection.

              The question would become, who would AJ replace in the current side ?
              I wondered if AJ would help Rampe spend time in the midfield

              Comment

              • stevoswan
                Veterans List
                • Sep 2014
                • 8581

                I can see AJ playing out the season in the two's (proof for the club that his knee is really right) followed by a full pre season, playing the pre season series to gauge if his form is 'best 22' and if so, pushing for selection for round one 2018. That would make sense to me......

                Comment

                • AB Swannie
                  Senior Player
                  • Mar 2017
                  • 1579

                  Originally posted by stevoswan
                  I can see AJ playing out the season in the two's (proof for the club that his knee is really right) followed by a full pre season, playing the pre season series to gauge if his form is 'best 22' and if so, pushing for selection for round one 2018. That would make sense to me......
                  +1

                  Comment

                  • Go Swannies
                    Veterans List
                    • Sep 2003
                    • 5697

                    Originally posted by barry
                    We dont have a 100% fitness requirement to play in the team.

                    I think AJ will fall somewhere in between Mcveigh (coach favourite, who only has to play half a game in the 2's) and Dawson (never gets a go) as far as warranting selection.

                    The question would become, who would AJ replace in the current side ?
                    Why would you bother putting that in?

                    Comment

                    • jono2707
                      Goes up to 11
                      • Oct 2007
                      • 3326

                      Hands up if you'll be there early Saturday for the Ressies if AJ is named???

                      (puts hand up)

                      Comment

                      • Untamed Snark
                        Senior Player
                        • Feb 2011
                        • 1375

                        Originally posted by jono2707
                        Hands up if you'll be there early Saturday for the Ressies if AJ is named???

                        (puts hand up)
                        Me!!!
                        Chillin' with the strange Quarks

                        Comment

                        • penga
                          Senior Player
                          • Jan 2003
                          • 2601

                          Originally posted by Go Swannies
                          Why would you bother putting that in?
                          Restarting the narrative early this week as it was completely obliterated against Melbourne.
                          C'mon Chels!

                          Comment

                          • aguy
                            Senior Player
                            • Mar 2014
                            • 1324

                            Me too

                            Comment

                            • RichardLong
                              On the Rookie List
                              • May 2017
                              • 45

                              Originally posted by stevoswan
                              I can see AJ playing out the season in the two's (proof for the club that his knee is really right) followed by a full pre season, playing the pre season series to gauge if his form is 'best 22' and if so, pushing for selection for round one 2018. That would make sense to me......
                              Agreed!

                              Comment

                              • AnsweredPrayers
                                Warming the Bench
                                • Feb 2010
                                • 123

                                If he starts playing well enough and there's a vacancy in the seniors they'll pick him. Just like every other player in the squad.

                                Really, the sooner he gets back into the seniors the better. It might take a month for him to build up his match fitness but then I think he's in contention for selection. How quickly he can recapture his form only time will tell.

                                Comment

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