One of the guys who is in a Tigers e-mail loop with me at work is putting together a one-a-day player critique starting at #1 and working through the player list. It's a pretty good read so I thought I would share it with you.
Part 27 in the series….
28 - Kane Johnson
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24, turns 25 a fortnight before Round 1.
Height: 186cm
Weight: 84kg
Career Games: 104 (0 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 44 (0 at Richmond)
Draft History: Selection 27 in the 1995 National Draft, traded by Adelaide to
Richmond in 2002 Draft for Selections 2,18,32 & Torney with Adelaide also
coughing up selections 12, 28 & 41 in a deal designed to get Wayne Carey to
Adelaide.
2002 Averages: 20 games, 13.4 Kicks, 4.1 Marks, 10 Handballs, 0.55 Goals,
1.55 Tackle, 1.7 Rebounds, 4.6 Inside 50s, 4.7 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
2002 Summary: Went up a level in 2002, finishing equal 6th in the Crows B&F.
Part of a gun midfield rotation that included McLeod, Goodwin, Ricciuto,
Edwards, Bode & Ladhams. Was third at Adelaide for Handballs, fifth for Inside
50s and fourth for Hard ball gets. Only three times failed to gain 20+ touches out
of the 20 games (Twice v Port, 19 & 12, the other was the Prelim v
Collingwood). Twice over 30 touches. Was the first year he took a real
consistent role as a major ball winner in the middle for the Crows which is a big
wrap in itself having previously been often the run-with player, or playing off a
flank or the wing.
Previously: Was All-Australian at U18 level, playing as a key defender
(primarily). Started at Crows as a run-with player, half back flanker. Averaged
16.5 touches per game in 2001 from 18 games, 15 touches from 15 games in
2000, 16.5 from 15 in 2000, 13 from 12 in 98, 14.5 from 23 in 97. Two games in
debut year 1996. Was highly regarded from his time at Adelaide as having the
class, hardness, discipline and ability to perform pretty much any role through
the midfield.
Ability: 8 - Most of my memories of Johnson as an Adelaide player are of class
and ability to do the right things at the right time.
Offence: 6 - Maybe a bit of blind faith here, as to some extent a possible failing
of his previously has been his offensive side, but he's certainly improved in this
aspect over the last couple of years at Adelaide, and I think that's a reflection of
his changing role at the club. Certainly has all the attributes now to be a better
than average attacking option.
Defence: 7 - Regularly played a run-with role for the Crows as the midfielder
sent out to keep an opponent quiet while continuing to win the ball himself. Is
more than capable of playing at half-back and regularly was there with Adelaide.
Hardness: 6.5 - Again above average in this respect, is strong at the contest
and if anything judging by little we've seen in 2003 has improved in this
department yet again. I do find it a bit difficult to judge opposition players in this
category, not seeing them week-in/week-out. Is capable of absorbing physical
pressure as well as giving it out. Has probably moved more towards an
harder "inside" player over the last couple of years, I think after watching him
more often and a lot closer as a Richmond player than I would have as an
Adelaide player I can see me reassessing this one up.
Speed: 6 - I rate him above average in this category, but I'm thinking he's
dropped off a little bit since his earlier days where I tend to recall him being even
quicker. Might be just a perception.
Part 27 in the series….
28 - Kane Johnson
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24, turns 25 a fortnight before Round 1.
Height: 186cm
Weight: 84kg
Career Games: 104 (0 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 44 (0 at Richmond)
Draft History: Selection 27 in the 1995 National Draft, traded by Adelaide to
Richmond in 2002 Draft for Selections 2,18,32 & Torney with Adelaide also
coughing up selections 12, 28 & 41 in a deal designed to get Wayne Carey to
Adelaide.
2002 Averages: 20 games, 13.4 Kicks, 4.1 Marks, 10 Handballs, 0.55 Goals,
1.55 Tackle, 1.7 Rebounds, 4.6 Inside 50s, 4.7 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
2002 Summary: Went up a level in 2002, finishing equal 6th in the Crows B&F.
Part of a gun midfield rotation that included McLeod, Goodwin, Ricciuto,
Edwards, Bode & Ladhams. Was third at Adelaide for Handballs, fifth for Inside
50s and fourth for Hard ball gets. Only three times failed to gain 20+ touches out
of the 20 games (Twice v Port, 19 & 12, the other was the Prelim v
Collingwood). Twice over 30 touches. Was the first year he took a real
consistent role as a major ball winner in the middle for the Crows which is a big
wrap in itself having previously been often the run-with player, or playing off a
flank or the wing.
Previously: Was All-Australian at U18 level, playing as a key defender
(primarily). Started at Crows as a run-with player, half back flanker. Averaged
16.5 touches per game in 2001 from 18 games, 15 touches from 15 games in
2000, 16.5 from 15 in 2000, 13 from 12 in 98, 14.5 from 23 in 97. Two games in
debut year 1996. Was highly regarded from his time at Adelaide as having the
class, hardness, discipline and ability to perform pretty much any role through
the midfield.
Ability: 8 - Most of my memories of Johnson as an Adelaide player are of class
and ability to do the right things at the right time.
Offence: 6 - Maybe a bit of blind faith here, as to some extent a possible failing
of his previously has been his offensive side, but he's certainly improved in this
aspect over the last couple of years at Adelaide, and I think that's a reflection of
his changing role at the club. Certainly has all the attributes now to be a better
than average attacking option.
Defence: 7 - Regularly played a run-with role for the Crows as the midfielder
sent out to keep an opponent quiet while continuing to win the ball himself. Is
more than capable of playing at half-back and regularly was there with Adelaide.
Hardness: 6.5 - Again above average in this respect, is strong at the contest
and if anything judging by little we've seen in 2003 has improved in this
department yet again. I do find it a bit difficult to judge opposition players in this
category, not seeing them week-in/week-out. Is capable of absorbing physical
pressure as well as giving it out. Has probably moved more towards an
harder "inside" player over the last couple of years, I think after watching him
more often and a lot closer as a Richmond player than I would have as an
Adelaide player I can see me reassessing this one up.
Speed: 6 - I rate him above average in this category, but I'm thinking he's
dropped off a little bit since his earlier days where I tend to recall him being even
quicker. Might be just a perception.
