Johnson has to come in for AB, as much as i love AB, he didnt get alot of game time i know but we got SMASHED in the center. Johno back to help get the quick kick foward or the hand off to someone will be alot better than having AB on the bench and not getiting anything out of the mid.

If Kouta isn't playing than Johnson has to play. We desperately need someone who can jump into the packs and feed the ball out to our outside midfielders and Johnson is the only other player on the list capable of doing that at AFL level at the moment on a consistent basis.

I wouldn't be dropping Davies however.

I'm a bit of a Johnson fan, he wins the ball from the stoppages and that is important. Especially when Kouta isn't there, I think Johnson becomes more important. No he's not lightning quick but how many of our players are? His kicking does lack a bit of penetration but as long as he's in there winning the ball from stoppages and sending it our way then he's going to be putting pressure on the opposition. I'd have him in the side.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

Have to disagree with you CJF about AB's kicking lacking depth. There was one particular 50m-plus kick that hit his intended target on the chest (IIRC it was the game we won against Melbourne at OO last year). AB's also a more accurate kick, and IMO quicker than Johnson. That being said, Johnno would be slightly ahead at this stage - Pagan showed last year that he would give preference to the more senior player and let the junior prove their worth in the ressies.

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When Dick became President, it was as if everyone at Carlton came out of the hailstorm and into the sunshine - Stephen Kernahan

YARRAN!!





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Major difference between players like plunkett and bentick, plunkett was never going to improve he had peaked in his physical size and probably in his skill level. Bentick still has a way to go in both aspects and has the bonus of a higher skill level, probably higher than johnson already. We can afford to invest time in young players such as bentick/carazzo, whilst we expect a greater level of skill and CONSISTENCY from johnson and particularly davies.

Rack off all you AB naysayers! rack off I say!

oh right, i cant say that...this is a message board...everyone has a right to an opinion yadayada...

But you're all wrong! AB is great! he's great I tells ya!

Pagan seems to be rotating Davies and Betts off the bench.

The competition for the small forward role is on in earnest.

Points to Eddie to date.

Johnson was fabulous for us last year. He deserves another opportunity, and he will be given it. Competition for spots - it's magic isn't it.

Can't wait till Deluca starts pressing for a berth.

AB needs to prove himself. Not sure where he fits yet, if he fits...

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"Two roads diverged in a wood,
and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost

Yep, his 3 possesions on the weekend were gold I tells ya, GOLD!

Boo! Hypno. Boo!

I sat back and had a little bet with myself on how long it would take one of the Cazzes to get wind of this thread.

I had it down as 3.

Having a run in the twos will do AB a world of good. He looked a bit lost against the dees and behind the pace of the game. Comparisons to Jimmy are a tad harsh but he needs to make way for Johno this week. 40 touches for the ants is a guarantee of senior selection i would think (especially considering we were thrashed in hardball gets!!!)

Slimo as well had circa 35 touches so I wonder if he will get a gallop.

Johno just needs to dispose of the ball by hand at all costs (if possible). He is, however, more than just an average player.

Johno for AB
Campo for ???

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C'mon Blueboys!

Bit harsh? Plunkett and AB are similar only in hair colour and #. I guess both could get the ball, but AB at least gets rid of it. AB tackles stick as he's a solid kid, and well, his disposal is brilliant.

Johnson has to come in.

To be fair to Bentick its about opportunties...Mclean and Moloney got given the job of being the main onballers unlike Bentick who is second or third string and then he got dumped with the job of tagging ..was it Mclean from memory....nice job as the melbourne kid had the ball on a string at that stage.
Like others have said we know what Johnson can do...good honest worker but probably lacks a bit of brilliance. Bentick an unknown.....West Coast are that cocky they are rotating their on onballers like the Aussie cricketers have been doing with their bowlers/batsman etc...I think i read that Judd and Embley may be rested this game...hard to believe if its true but it shows they are serious about development and not worried about Wizzer cup results.

Would we be that brave to rest Nick Stevens and let Bentick start in the middle and have a fair crack at it...I guess we need the win for the money but I wouldnt mind seeing the likes of Bentick, Simpson etc have the responsiblity handed to them and get a handle on where they are at...

Davies is more than a crumber in the forward line. he tackles, chases and plays a s a defensive forward to keep the ball in our F50. He also can take a grab and kick a bag. I see him being developed with short bursts in the midfield. He plays as a smaller version of Hamill

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T E A M