#31,#26 Ben Johnson

[3rd degree]

Look out Daicos Magic , Johnson 26 will place your name on the pecking order. I think your been a little harsh, Benny brings some great hardness to our midfield and has improved a lot in the way of skills over time and can be an effective tagger as well.

[regan is true fullback]

Wow, isn't that a bit of controversy, and Dave wasn't even involved in the thread.

Seriously, the 1990 team featured hard men in Millane, Banks, Kelly, Monkhorst, Shaw with McKeon and Taylor in reserve. And didn't the Cardinals try to smite them through their tribunal at every opportunity.

Other teams have their snipers and their motormouths, and this side needs hard men to make our young blokes walk tall.

Johnston can play tough, in a way that an annoying pest like Brodie Holland can't (oops more controversy, sorry guys). I believe he will be needed in the finals, but like every bloke in the team bar the two ruckmen, this year he has to earn his spot.

[Alec. J. Hidell]

Don't let him near your beer glass, he'd liable to fill it up, and not with beer

[Magpie_Dan]

Next Captain? BIG chance!!!!!

[HAL]

I can wait. I am a very patient .

[pietillidie]

Be happy to see him play consistent footy. He is a far better than average player when he does that, but he just can't string enough good games together in the middle. Send him back to the BP and give him defensive jobs - we need experience down there, especially if we are to free up one H.Shaw for more attacking duties.

[nulla]

I can only see him having a far better year than last year.

He would have had time to think over his bad season a bit longer than the rest and I reckon he has the character that will prove his worth in the side

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Integral part of the team. He'd be in my 22 everytime!

[Didaksgoal]

Integral part of the team. He'd be in my 22 everytime!

I agree. Wasn't he injured early season last year (first west coast game with an ankle or leg injury)? With Clemmo gone, johnno's experience will count big time. The thing with johnno, he can kick goals, just like heater and lones. He could be rotated through the middle as well, depending on backline stocks on the particular day.

Off topic for a sec, Clemmo is a huge loss for us. I hope the next tier in Cox, maxi, Jack Ant, Nafe Brown, and harry O surprise this year, cos we're gonna need them. I mean, Clem was king of the castle down back, and hopefully his magic has meant others will follow his example.

Wakes and Elvis Presti have been great for us, with them in their twilight, any of those two injured leaves us skinny down back. In saying that, we coped ok with clem out for 3 months last year, which saw harry and heater come to the front and do a good job.

Johnno will be fine, and is in our best 22. Clemmo is a huge loss, which gives others greater responsibility. Lets win the flag.

Go the Pies

[BBHS]

Good player Benny I don't think he is captain material though.
Should have a massive year if injury free. I calling it now. All Australian!!!

[mel_kay39]

Yes, Benny had a bad year last year but I think he can bounce back. He proved his worth on Anzac Day '06 and also four years earlier when he stopped that almost certain goal from Peter Burgoyne in the '02 Qualifying Final. He repaid Micks' faith that day and he will repay the faith the supporters have had in him, by having a good year this year.

[magpieazza]

I am very keen to see Johnno have a big year, I'm over his so called kicking probs because every time I see him kick now he smacks it good and long, although his right foot is not happening yet, he gets through a game by positioning himself so he can kick it on his left.

[Mountains Magpie]

Johnson played 19 games out of a possible 25 last year and missed 5 through suspension. Unquestionably in our starting 22 and I'd be astonished if he didn't resume his position there in round 2.

[Culprit]

Integral part of the team. He'd be in my 22 everytime!

I agree. Wasn't he injured early season last year (first west coast game with an ankle or leg injury)? With Clemmo gone, johnno's experience will count big time. The thing with johnno, he can kick goals, just like heater and lones. He could be rotated through the middle as well, depending on backline stocks on the particular day.

Off topic for a sec, Clemmo is a huge loss for us. I hope the next tier in Cox, maxi, Jack Ant, Nafe Brown, and harry O surprise this year, cos we're gonna need them. I mean, Clem was king of the castle down back, and hopefully his magic has meant others will follow his example.

Wakes and Elvis Presti have been great for us, with them in their twilight, any of those two injured leaves us skinny down back. In saying that, we coped ok with clem out for 3 months last year, which saw harry and heater come to the front and do a good job.

Johnno will be fine, and is in our best 22. Clemmo is a huge loss, which gives others greater responsibility. Lets win the flag.

Go the Pies

I can't see how you would say Clement is a huge loss. He barely played last year and when he did a few of his turnovers costs us goals in tight games. Johno will step up next year and will add to our centre rotations.

[Alec. J. Hidell]

I can't see how you would say Clement is a huge loss. He barely played last year and when he did a few of his turnovers costs us goals in tight games. Johno will step up next year and will add to our centre rotations.

Because that is what people inside the club are saying