Steve Johnson must put ego aside and put Geelong first, writes Mark Robinson
TRUTH be known, Steve Johnson’s teammates have probably had enough of him potentially jeopardising Geelong’s 2014 season, writes Mark Robinson.
Mark Robinson
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NOT for the first time, Steve Johnson tiptoed his way out of the troubled lands
Everyone was pleased, even North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson who admitted he took a busted rib into the game and that’s why he winced.
But Johnson shouldn’t be so clucky with himself.
Truth be known, and notwithstanding his football artistry and intellect, Johnson’s teammates have probably had enough of Johnson potentially jeopardising their season.
CATS COACH NOT ANGRY AT STEVIE J
He’s been reported twice this year, once for head contact (suspended) and once for kneeing (freed to play), which takes his career tally to 16 charges.
Of the current players, only Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher is ahead of him with 18 charges.
Not for the first time, either, will Johnson have been told to pull his head in.
He has to. He has to stop the niggle and sly slaps and trips and hits and knees and head butts. He has to stop entertaining himself on the ground and start doing what’s best for the team.
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It’s garbage to say he can’t stop. Just can’t accept he needs to engage with the opposition to get the bets out of himself.
His former coach Mark Thompson said on AFL360 this week he used talk to Johnson time and again about his behaviour.
“We used to say, Stevey, Stevey ... and he then go out and do it again,” Thompson said.
It’s selfish behaviour but because he is the artist known as Stevey J, it seems to be accepted he’ll have brain fade now and then.
Johnson would do well to set himself for the next seven weeks. To play the ball and not play to his ego.
Everyone likes Johnson, most love him, but if he continues to put himself a) in a position where the match review panel can act on him and b) ahead of the team’s principles, then Johnson could be detrimental to his team’s performance.
He is central to Geelong’s premiership chances.
He’s won three flags and if he is part of a fourth, then Johnson the great becomes Johnson the legend. That awaits him.
Yet, football is not about individual success.
Players such as Cameron Guthrie, Josh Caddy, Jordan Murdoch, Jared Rivers and Mark Blicavs must tremble at times when Johnson floats between obstinate and aggressive.
For they know, their opportunity of winning a first flag is highly more probable with Johnson in the team than out of it because of another brain fade.
Coach Chris Scott is ol’ poker face. He publicly argued strongly Johnson should’ve got off his latest charge, but you have to wonder how he approached it internally. Betcha he wasn’t so supportive
There’s a flag for the winning and Scott knows he can’t win it without Johnson. And Johnson knows that.
The next seven weeks are yet to be written.
If Johnson finds himself on report yet again, and is suspended, and the Cat crash out, he won’t forgive himself.
Worse, his teammates won’t forgive either.
Originally published as Steve Johnson must put ego aside and put Geelong first, writes Mark Robinson
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