I dont think Zak Johnson will be delisted, but let’s be real, we will need to delist between 7 and 10 players. I suspect Brad wants to be seen to be fair by at least checking players at the level before getting out the chainsaw.
And that would be fine if they said managed like they have before for other players. I have no faith left in Brad anymore to suggest that he is fair with selection when is comes to old vs young.
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Zak’s going nowhere. Calm TF down.
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He is the youngest kid on the list . Didn’t have much of a pre season. I’m glad he is getting a rest this week. Play the long game.
The kids have shown heaps , it’s the Gresham’s etc now playing for their careers .
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People on here need to have a lie down…he needs a spell. We’ve all seen enough; he’s a keeper. Look after the young man is what we need to do. No issue with his omission.
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Yep, he’s 18 and he’s played 8 games so far. He’s been sub a couple of times recently but due to injuries he’s had more game time than planned in those games. But yeah, Brad hates him. Sure.
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Give him a rest, check out Nguyen, bring him back for the last three or four games.
I think people are just worried. A player with elite kicking skills and a higher potential ceiling aren’t typically brad’s favourites and get the sub, then dropped treatment, ahead of some absolute spuds.
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Brad has just loaded up on him to win the 2026 rising star award. Has to keep him below 10 games this year.
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I’m as excited about what Zak could be as anyone and this omission isn’t concerning me at all.
He’s had a fair run at AFL level. He can tear up the VFL for a few weeks, focus on whatever he’s been told to work on, and hit 2026 full on.
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Johnson had like no pre season, is the youngest guy on an afl list and has played 7-8 games. There is zero concern about him being dropped at all, what’s happening in this thread.
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I’ve been frustrated with Scott’s team selection for most of his tenure. His treatment of Johnson, whether it’s impacted by injuries or not, has been completely fine. We’ve seen good glimpses and he’s been given several games in a row to give him the best chance of finding his feet. Now he’s slowing down after having a limited pre-season, it’s not that surprising he’s out of the side.
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If we can blame Scott for something then we must…seems to be the way for some on here!! He’s not perfect by any stretch but omitting Johnson is absolutely okay this week. That is all.
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Good numbers in the VFL yesterday (22 disposals, five tackles and two goals). I wasn’t able to watch the game, but interested to hear what others thought of his performance…
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I thought he was solid. He kicked a great goal too.
I think he turned it over once, but then he got it back almost immediately. I didn’t watch every second of the game, but I really like the way Zak goes about it.
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Goal in the second was sublime. Hit the ball at pace and aggressively attacked the goal from about 45ish on a bit of an angle. Kicked a beautifully drop punt across his body. Not the sort of goal I expect many at essendon to kick these days tbh
Improved physicality in the contest reflected in his tackle numbers
Would have had a few more touches but for Davey doing most of the kicking in.
Also we played a lot more direct so he didn’t stat pad as he had in the past in the vfl.
A very very solid game with fewer blemishes with the ball than davey
Should play vs fcfc.
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Smooth mover as well. Didn’t hesitate once he got into space, just went bang, the goal was never in doubt.
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