Danny Frawley says Greater Western Sydney can’t play Steve Johnson in the finals
HAVE we seen the last of Steve Johnson? The GWS forward had a shocker against Geelong and is now in danger of being dropped for finals. Should the Giants cut him?
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HAVE we seen the last of Steve Johnson?
The Greater Western Sydney forward had a shocker against Geelong on Saturday night.
He failed to kick a goal or provide any defensive pressure.
Johnson finished with just four kicks and one mark in the 44-point loss.
Former Richmond coach Danny Frawley says the Giants can’t play Johnson in their qualifying final.
“You just can’t play him,” Frawley said on SEN.
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“He has been a superstar of the game. I’m not sitting here taking pot shots.
“The forward pressure in all the top teams is there. Richmond has a top four spot built on pressure.
“If they (GWS) don’t kick a goal it comes back with interest.”
The Giants will take on either Geelong or Adelaide in their first final.
Johnson was recruited to GWS to provide finals experience for the young and developing group.
He played in last year’s qualifying final victory against Sydney but was suspended for the preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Former Richmond and Bulldogs player Nathan Brown believes Johnson’s record in big games entitles him to one last crack.
However, Brown said it would be Johnson’s last chance.
“He is not playing good footy but I’d have to think, finals record, I’d just about play Stevie J,” he said on the Sunday Footy Show.
“It would be a big risk because he is not going that well at the moment but just because of his record I think you give him the first crack.
“They’ve got a double chance, I’d play him in the first one. If he doesn’t do any good then I’d leave him out.”
Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes said the Giants need to dump Johnson now.
“I think the time has come. I think that was his last crack,” he said.
“He didn’t do enough and hasn’t done so for the last month or so. I think they will leave him out.”
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