Very nice.
Really hoping that he plays the last two games, he looks an exciting prospect.
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he has a pleasing kicking action aesthetic
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starting 22, 2026.
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The type of player that instantly makes our team better and the one I’m most looking forward to seeing in 2026.
Not sure why Brad dropped him tbh.
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My hoped for round 1 lineup on the half back line is Johnson, Reid, Nguyen .
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I think it’s purely load management. Missed a fair chunk of preseason etc.
There’s genuine reason for optimism amongst most of the recent draftees and Johnson is definitely one of them.
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he will be at hawthorn in 2 years. Brad hates anyone with a bit of x-factor
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He hasn’t looked bad at any point - why is he not playing in the “seniors” atm?
The rhetoric from Brad re Clarke vs Johnson is a world apart.
I’ve no doubt we will barely see him in the seniors next year while he dominates in the 2s because he will be “working on something”.
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Last game he played he looked cooked. I think he had a limited pre season due to injury recovery. Nothing wrong with him playing VFL in my opinion.
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That’s fine but deserves the next two, maybe they should have focused a bit more on Caddy’s loads.
I’m more concerned that Brad won’t be giving these kids the opportunity they deserve in 2026.
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Nguyen McKay Reid
Johnson Rids Roberts
Clarke Martin* duursma
Bryan Caldwell durham
Merrett caddy kako
McGrath 2mp langford
Redman parish ??? Perkins - ???
Martin obviously won’t be there. And there are jury clouds over others too. I expect draper to leave and we may lose a few others but something like this would make for an exciting start to the year.
See if a 1st year later can force their way in
I think Jaxon Prior has done enough to justify one of those questions marks and perhaps our first pick in this year’s draft for the other, whomever that may be. (Or potentially Harley Reid or Marcus Windhager? 
)
Good prediction, but I dont see McGrath learning to be an effective forward at this stage of his career. I like him as a clearance mid alongside Durham as the bull - his agility has impressed me the last few games.
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I put him fwd pocket but really he’s part of the mid rotation
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I was thinking this myself, players with x factor and a high ceiling aren’t typically his favourites.
Redman is another of Brads favourites so you are absolutely spot on.
As soon as Redman was fit Johnson was relegated first to the sub and then to the VFL.
Nothing will change next year id imagine.
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And honestly that’s pretty defendable. Johnson is the youngest kid in the entire AFL system and Redman is one of our top talents who needs a good run into 2026.
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Yeah, I’ve been a big fan of Johnson since an early VFL practice match but I don’t think he’s been treated poorly or unfairly this year. Fairly standard 1st year player on interrupted preseason outcome. That said, he could potentially play this week (but it’ll probably be Shiel).
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Glorious kick.
You know what he is, he is a “sexy” player. Can’t remember the last one of those we’ve had. Maybe Zaharakis despite him not getting anywhere near what he looked like he could get to.
I await the ridicule.
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