Steve Johnson is a conundrum. He’s probably the most skilful footballer currently playing in the AFL, but he’s got a loose, clumsy style. Precise without being technically correct, Johnson lacks the poise and straightforward style of men like Brett Delidio and Chris Yarran.
He plays laconic football, casual almost, like it doesn’t matter. Another man of endless skill, Darren Jarman, also played with the same abandonment and flair as Johnson. From a different era and different club, Jarman played 230 games and kicked 386 goals.
He looked half paced at times. Later in his career he appeared overweight. He still kicked 40 goals in his last season when he was 34 years old.
Former Hawk champ Jason Dunstall played with a bevy of legends during Hawthorn’s halcyon days. When asked who his most skilful teammate was, Dunstall nominated Jarman.
Dunstall’s determination was made years after Jarman’s pathetic 1991 grand final, when he was held to five kicks and two marks. Dunstall also made his assessment before Jarman’s heroics in the 1997-98 grand finals.
If anyone needs reminding, Jarman kicked 11 goals in those grand finals, practically winning those premierships for the Crows.
After his dreadful performance in 1991, Jarman was desperate to atone. He did.
Jason Akermanis was a brilliant footballer, quick, fit and capable up forward. Akermanis did things no other footballer could. He kicked goals from the boundary on both sides of the body, under pressure or not, and kicked goals from outside 50.
His was a classic style, pleasing to watch, and that’s not to say Jarman or Johnson aren’t pleasing to watch. Akermanis, though, was an absolute standout in terms of skill, and he got more of the ball than Johnson and Jarman.
Ordinary footballers can get the ball. Using it consistently well is harder. Johnson can get the football in the clinches or in free space. How he uses the football separates him from the rest of the competition.
Two weeks ago against Hawthorn, Johnson gathered the ball at half forward. Under pressure his right foot kick seemed to slew off the outside of the boot. It looked a shocker, the ball rotating sideways in classic helicopter crash, yet it split a trio of converging Hawk defenders and landed on his teammate’s chest.
That ordinary kick was deliberate. It was another remarkable, head-shaking moment in Johnson’s career.
Johnson is 189 centimetres tall. He weighs 87 kilograms. Thirty years ago he would’ve been a key position player. Fifty years ago he might’ve been a ruckman. In the modern era, he’s a shortish midfielder capable of going forward.
He’s fit without looking like he’s fit, but he can run forever. Against West Coast he ran all night on that huge ground. It left him exhausted. Late in the game he couldn’t make the distance from 45 metres out.
That’s hard running. He also gathered 32 possessions and laid ten tackles in a performance that almost won the game for Geelong.
Almost is the right word…
In the second quarter, with Geelong up by three goals, Johnson had a set shot at goal from 30 metres out. Instead of kicking a drop punt, Johnson hooked the ball across his body and didn’t make the distance.
The hook become a shank, and given the Eagles won by five points, Johnson needs to justify his unorthodoxy.
At training most footballers get a giggle out of hooking from the boundary. The harder the shot, the bigger the ego. The hook, though, has become far more prevalent and it’s being used when the angle isn’t as sharp.
In last year’s grand final, Jimmy Bartell kicked a wonderful goal using the hook instead of a set shot. That set the scene for the copycats.
The hook is said to eliminate the risks of the ball not being struck perfectly. An inch either side of centre and the football will slip left or right. The hook may have less margin for error, particularly in close, but it is dangerous, despite the theory being sound.
A lot of footballers miss from the boundary with a set shot when they’re twenty metres out. The hook is a high percentage kick on a tight angle, but it’s dangerous from directly in front.
Johnson missed a sitter and ended up looking silly. He is better than that.
Argument has raged since Friday. A common suggestion was that lots of footballers miss from 30 metres out, directly in front. If Johnson feels more confident hooking, then that’s what he must do. He owns the shot on goal.
But he’s so damn skilful, even with that clunky style that he should’ve been able to kick a drop punt accurately from 30 metres out, directly in front. He shouldn’t be second-guessing himself from that close.
He’s played 193 games and kicked 381 goals. He’s a triple premiership player. There’s no suggestion Johnson was lairising against West Coast, thought that’s how it appeared. He practices those hooks at training, but in a vital game against a good opponent, Johnson didn’t play percentages.
The short right hook in the second quarter, had it been a goal, would’ve won the game for Geelong. In a game decided by five points, each shot on goal is crucial. They’re not to be squandered.
Johnson is experienced enough to know how vital every goal is. He’s good enough to know that he doesn’t need to prove his skills. We all know how good he is.
He’s good enough to convert most opportunities and he just needs to do that.
Pride Cup results
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133 |
Anne (8) |
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131 |
Russ (7), Matt (7) |
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130 |
Dave (7) |
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129 |
Matt B (7) |
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127 |
Sandra (6), Andy (8) |
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126 |
The Pole (6) |
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125 |
Stevo (8) |
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124 |
James F (6), Wayne (4) |
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121 |
Eric (7) |
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120 |
George (4) |
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119 |
Dallas (8) |
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115 |
Jim (6) |
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112 |
Adam L (4) |
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110 |
Paul (5) |
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48 |
Nemo (2) |
