Courtney Johns Could Star If Bombers Trade Him
The Bombers will get a healthy Lloyd next season, they will put him in the goal-square and watch as he kicks goals and throws grass. If the forward line has Lloyd and Lucas, and probably Hird, then Courtney Johns won’t have a spot. Johns recovered from injuries, cut his hair and was very impressive in 2006 when he got his chance. But his value for Essendon could be as a trade asset.
Johns is a full forward, the Bombers have that spot covered but other teams would trade a lot to get a prospect like Johns to fill their need in the goal-square. Fergus Watts was worth pick 17 last year, if Essendon can get something similar then they should do it.
If Adelaide offer pick 14 for Johns it is something that Essendon would have to seriously consider. They could use it on a fullback prospect, like Nathan Brown, or a midfielder, with Ricky Pettard or Brock O’Brien possibly being available there. The Crows could get the full forward they need. Ricciuto and Johns in the goal-square with plenty of space in the forward 50 would be a good combination. Both players can lead fast, mark the ball and kick it long. But Ricciuto can also play the role of a small forward, crumbing off the contests, so he would be more versatile next to Johns than Lloyd is. The Crows need a tall forward, Hentschel is injured and McGregor is out of favour.
Whichever team out of the Eagles and Dockers does not get Tarrant will have a first round pick and a need for a forward. Johns may not be a good fit next to Q with the Eagles, but the Dockers can play Pavlich anywhere and another forward might be a good idea. Solomon and Johns for pick 13 could be a good deal. The Bulldogs may get a big forward in trade very soon, taking them out of the equation for Johns, but a couple of the Bulldogs’ extra midfielders would be welcomed at Essendon if it did happen.
If Johns is brought back to Essendon it could be a frustrating time. A forward line with Lloyd, Lucas, Hird and sometimes Ryder or Hille won’t have a spot for Johns. The Bombers will try to convert him into a backman, but that often doesn’t work with full forwards. Lloyd is 28 and if he plays to Hird’s age it will be another 5 years, Johns can’t wait that long.
There hasn’t been a lot of trade talk about Johns and there has not been any mention of him getting a new contract from Essendon either. Johns has the size, 194cm and at least 94kg if not more, to be a dominating full forward in the AFL. Quick on the lead and has Fevola-range on his kicks. We may not see a lot of it at Essendon with Lloyd healthy, so a trade could be the only way that Johns reaches his potential.
Johns is a full forward, the Bombers have that spot covered but other teams would trade a lot to get a prospect like Johns to fill their need in the goal-square. Fergus Watts was worth pick 17 last year, if Essendon can get something similar then they should do it.
If Adelaide offer pick 14 for Johns it is something that Essendon would have to seriously consider. They could use it on a fullback prospect, like Nathan Brown, or a midfielder, with Ricky Pettard or Brock O’Brien possibly being available there. The Crows could get the full forward they need. Ricciuto and Johns in the goal-square with plenty of space in the forward 50 would be a good combination. Both players can lead fast, mark the ball and kick it long. But Ricciuto can also play the role of a small forward, crumbing off the contests, so he would be more versatile next to Johns than Lloyd is. The Crows need a tall forward, Hentschel is injured and McGregor is out of favour.
Whichever team out of the Eagles and Dockers does not get Tarrant will have a first round pick and a need for a forward. Johns may not be a good fit next to Q with the Eagles, but the Dockers can play Pavlich anywhere and another forward might be a good idea. Solomon and Johns for pick 13 could be a good deal. The Bulldogs may get a big forward in trade very soon, taking them out of the equation for Johns, but a couple of the Bulldogs’ extra midfielders would be welcomed at Essendon if it did happen.
If Johns is brought back to Essendon it could be a frustrating time. A forward line with Lloyd, Lucas, Hird and sometimes Ryder or Hille won’t have a spot for Johns. The Bombers will try to convert him into a backman, but that often doesn’t work with full forwards. Lloyd is 28 and if he plays to Hird’s age it will be another 5 years, Johns can’t wait that long.
There hasn’t been a lot of trade talk about Johns and there has not been any mention of him getting a new contract from Essendon either. Johns has the size, 194cm and at least 94kg if not more, to be a dominating full forward in the AFL. Quick on the lead and has Fevola-range on his kicks. We may not see a lot of it at Essendon with Lloyd healthy, so a trade could be the only way that Johns reaches his potential.
