thinking of these two, and their roles in the side. . .johnson was drafted as the quarterback role (sorry, i hate that term too) and grigg has played as both a wingman and half forward and half back but his work in close has me worried about his future as a midfielder. And johnson's inconsistancy has kept him as a fringe player at best. . .
So my question is, could either/both these guys find a regular starting 22 spot as a forward?
IMO johnson's foot skills, if used forward of the center could be extremely damaging. In the mould of simmo and houlihan hitting fevola lace out, opposition defenders would be worried about standing infront of fev, or running at johnson to avoid him using his long left foot as he would be half a chance from 50 on the run. . .
onto grigg, i also like his foot skills and his speed but his ability overhead (at least what ive seen) isnt great so as a link player through the middle with his lack of physicality i dont think he fits in, and down back doesnt fit him for my liking as any contests in the air he's vulnerable in if tagging a small/mid forward. . I see him as a forward who could provide speed and foot skills to deliver to key forwards, ok crumbing ability, and he could play with the likes of nick maxwell and keep him accountable to prevent fev from being double teamed. . The other week when the pies mauled us we had fisher as that role, but he was never in a dangerous enough position to worry maxwell so he just sat infront of fev. . If a player like grigg, who is faster and more agile (same goes for walker, austin and yarran) then they'll be less quick to give them space as they'd never catch them should the ball go their way.
I think as half backs, they're both being denied opportunity by armfield, scotland, austin, joseph, and bower with thornton, jamo, and waite being the key defenders. . Throw in the revelation of jordan russell's past 2months of footy down back and we've got a respectable backline with anderson, browne as fringe players and they've got more opportunity at getting a game if played forward.
Am i way off? Or is it plausible?
_________________ Cuck Follingwood
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