Player Watch Ash Johnson (Delisted 2024)

[Hardas]

AJ was half arsed so got a kick up the arse, but if he works his arse off and proves he can be arsed, he might make an arse out of everyone who wanted to give him the arse!

I may not be a detective, but I'm starting to sense a theme here...

 

[Bianconeri]

He had a full preseason and was picked to play round 1 - what is setting someone up for success?

I wouldn’t consider the way he was deployed in round one setting up for success. He was rooted in the square against the premier defender of the competition with the ball kicked on his head.

Still you have offer something when things don’t go your way.

 

[sr36]

I wouldn’t consider the way he was deployed in round one setting up for success. He was rooted in the square against the premier defender of the competition with the ball kicked on his head.

Still you have offer something when things don’t go your way.

That's the role he plays. He was a 20 game deep forward playing as a deep forward. It was that or ressies.

 

[Hardas]

I'm still not sure AJ really has what it takes at AFL-level in the modern game, even when his mind is completely in the game.

He's not big enough to be anything other than a third tall, but he kind of plays like an all-or-nothing marking option with few defensive instincts.

 

[Kappa]

I'm still not sure AJ really has what it takes at AFL-level in the modern game, even when his mind is completely in the game.

He's not big enough to be anything other than a third tall, but he kind of plays like an all-or-nothing marking option with few defensive instincts.

It's crazy how Ash Johnson is 27 and we're still having these conversations.

He shouldn't even be on our list, some of his VFL performances are down right embarrassing.

Worst defensive efforts out of any player on an AFL list.

 

[Hardas]

It's crazy how Ash Johnson is 27 and we're still having these conversations.

He shouldn't even be on our list, some of his VFL performances are down right embarrassing.

Worst defensive efforts out of any player on an AFL list.

Borrowed time, me thinks.

 

[Bianconeri]

That's the role he plays. He was a 20 game deep forward playing as a deep forward. It was that or ressies.

He’s a deep forward that’s needs the ball on the lead as he’s not a pack battering ram.

 

[sr36]

He’s a deep forward that’s needs the ball on the lead as he’s not a pack battering ram.

Then it's going to require a time machine to set him up for success

 

[OniAu]

People providing support to a player based on criticism he has received through social media is more admirable than sitting there saying its not impactful. If he doesnt need the support and he sees it , awesome. If he does need support and receives it , even better!

You will never know what people are experiencing

Have curiosity and empathy before going straight to judgement. Thats the best line ive picked up this year.

Such a poor human trait to lambast someone and not provide an empathetic approach. Likewise talking down on those taking the empathetic approach.

 

[Fat Jesus]

I used to play squash against a fat prick with shit shots who used to kick my arse. AJ reminds me of that.

The fat prick would just own the T because he'd always be following up his shots and moving to the right spots to control the court, whereas, I'd hit my shot and watch it before moving and I'd gradually get forced into worse and worse position. For me, it wasn't effort, it was just not being a smart enough player who processed quickly enough.

AJ is one shot and done. Sometimes it's a doozy, but when it isn't, he just lands and watches before reacting and following his first shot.

It was so much fun beating you every week.
My shots were not shit. Sour grapes

 

[Drought Break]

I wouldn’t consider the way he was deployed in round one setting up for success. He was rooted in the square against the premier defender of the competition with the ball kicked on his head.

Still you have offer something when things don’t go your way.

Im sure the coaches wouldn't deploy a player to basically not move for the whole game which is exactly what AJ did. Was at that game and he barely moved, did the same the following week. Think he got about 4 possessions over 2 games and that was pretty much him done.

 

[Bianconeri]

Im sure the coaches wouldn't deploy a player to basically not move for the whole game which is exactly what AJ did. Was at that game and he barely moved, did the same the following week. Think he got about 4 possessions over 2 games and that was pretty much him done.

The coach like a a static player in the goal square in the hot spot to create a contest.

 

[76woodenspooners]

It’d be great to see Ash Johnson regain his best form again.

On a positive, his best was decent. He’s still only 27 yo in a forward line that has an aging Mihocek, Membrey and Elliott who will all surely be retiring over the next few seasons. The opportunity is there for him, it’s now up to him if he wants it and if he’s prepared to put the work in to take it.

On a negative, he’s currently behind Mihicek, McStay and likely Membrey. It’s going to be hard for him to get a game. He couldn’t even get games last year when our key forward were all out. He’s coming from a long way back.

Has a player ever resurrected their career in the way Johnson needs to? Hogan maybe, but he was much further developed and needed to go to another club to find his best again.

 

[manicpie]

It’d be great to see Ash Johnson regain his best form again.

On a positive, his best was decent. He’s still only 27 yo in a forward line that has an aging Mihocek, Membrey and Elliott who will all surely be retiring over the next few seasons. The opportunity is there for him, it’s now up to him if he wants it and if he’s prepared to put the work in to take it.

On a negative, he’s currently behind Mihicek, McStay and likely Membrey. It’s going to be hard for him to get a game. He couldn’t even get games last year when our key forward were all out. He’s coming from a long way back.

Has a player ever resurrected their career in the way Johnson needs to? Hogan maybe, but he was much further developed and needed to go to another club to find his best again.

At least he's been training with the senior players already. Hopefully the penny has finally dropped

 

[partypie]

He had a full preseason and was picked to play round 1 - what is setting someone up for success?

Wasn't a whole lot of "success" to be seen across the board from our boys in round 1 (or round 2 for that matter).

Just sayin'...

 

[jmac70]

It’d be great to see Ash Johnson regain his best form again.

On a positive, his best was decent. He’s still only 27 yo in a forward line that has an aging Mihocek, Membrey and Elliott who will all surely be retiring over the next few seasons. The opportunity is there for him, it’s now up to him if he wants it and if he’s prepared to put the work in to take it.

On a negative, he’s currently behind Mihicek, McStay and likely Membrey. It’s going to be hard for him to get a game. He couldn’t even get games last year when our key forward were all out. He’s coming from a long way back.

Has a player ever resurrected their career in the way Johnson needs to? Hogan maybe, but he was much further developed and needed to go to another club to find his best again.

First step is for Ash to improve his fitness. He’s training already, so hopefully this is a good start. If he finds form in the VFL, he will get his chance.

 

[sr36]

First step is for Ash to improve his fitness. He’s training already, so hopefully this is a good start. If he finds form in the VFL, he will get his chance.

I think ultimately, despite the brilliance, he just doesn't have the game. Not competitive enough in the air for a tall role or good enough at ground level for a medium forward role.

 

[jmac70]

I think ultimately, despite the brilliance, he just doesn't have the game. Not competitive enough in the air for a tall role or good enough at ground level for a medium forward role.

I think he has the game but not the consistency. Unlikely to be on the list in 2026 unless this changes.

 

[sr36]

I think he has the game but not the consistency. Unlikely to be on the list in 2026 unless this changes.

He's got the jam and cream, but there's a lack of bread to spread it on.

The core of a forward role just isn't there. He can't compete in the air consistently with good kpds, he doesn't provide a threat at ground level or apply a heap of pressure.

 

[South of the Yarra]

No probs with Ash being off the list but gee Reef McInnes is a lucky man. Has shown absolutely nothing at AFL level. Even Ash has shown more at times. Neither should be on our list going forward.

 

[sr36]

No probs with Ash being off the list but gee Reef McInnes is a lucky man. Has shown absolutely nothing at AFL level. Even Ash has shown more at times. Neither should be on our list going forward.

Agree. Seeing they're both on the list, they need to be tried at the other end of the ground. They're not going to make it as forwards. Actually think AJ is more likely as a defender.

 

[jc37]

No probs with Ash being off the list but gee Reef McInnes is a lucky man. Has shown absolutely nothing at AFL level. Even Ash has shown more at times. Neither should be on our list going forward.

Reef is a midfielder/defender/utility.
He has been ok up forward and is ok there at a pinch but really should be developed as a big bodied midfielder/defender. Issue is his tank but that was also the issue of Burns and Swan. I think given his attitude, size and his speed he is worth persisting with to see if their is a role for him.

The Swans game where we were over run at the end of the year, I think he could have offered more than Ned Long particularly with his speed against likes of Heeney and Warner who just broke away from us.


Ash Johnson has the tools to kick 50 in a season as a 3rd tall. Right now he will be lucky I think if we still rookie him.
Last year he played undersized in both the AFL and VFL and it didnt help our VFL team was awful. The sad thing was he looked really good during preseason.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Right now he will be lucky I think if we still rookie him.

Given that he’s contracted, I believe the choices are (1) we rookie him (2) another club rookies him or (3) we pay out his contract.

If we were prepared to do (3) as has happened elsewhere around the league, surely we would have done it already?

 

[whiskeytown]

No probs with Ash being off the list but gee Reef McInnes is a lucky man. Has shown absolutely nothing at AFL level. Even Ash has shown more at times. Neither should be on our list going forward.

One’s 27… his efforts questioned … and hasn’t played a good senior game since his 3 goals vs Freo in rd 18, 2023

Barely played a good VFL game in that time too

The other is less talented a forward but still kicked 13.2 in 9 senior games off limited game time when playing for the year…

And at not even 22, he has more time to potentially improve as a forward and/or learn and to play a role at half back going forward

So I can see why reef was given another year

Look how long it took Murphy to come good.

Johnson on the other hand is a known quantity with minimal to no improvement left imo

I’d consider it a blessing if another club took him in the rookie draft ahead of the pies

Pies then to rookie Tomlinson, Jack Hayes, Grainger- Barass, Ethan Phillips, etc instead

 

[cityslick1]

The grainger barass thing is interesting. Why didn’t anyone try to trade for him… is he destined for a WA club as a rookie, and / or clubs have seen enough to know he is a bust….
Was touted as a future star 24 months ago