Geelong great Steve Johnson defends Ollie, others who missed set shots with snaps

COMMENTATORS tend to get outraged when players miss after kicking around the corner with a snap shot and missing, rather than using a drop punt. But the master of the method, Steve Johnson, has defended it — and Ollie Wines’ Showdown decision.

Ollie Wines tries to stop Bryce Gibbs. Picture Sarah Reed

IT was the snap that not only had fans cringing in the stands but was also one of the moments blamed for sinking Port Adelaide’s season.

Ollie Wines had a clutch set shot for goal in Showdown 45 — a match the Power would lose by three points — and opted for a snap and missed everything.

Commentators and champion goal kickers such as Matthew Lloyd venting their frustrations.

Ollie Wines walks off the ground after Showdown 45. Picture: SARAH REED

Ken Hinkley was quick to acknowledge the mistake, and a few days later Wines conceded that if he had his time again he would have chosen the drop punt.

But the grandfather of using snaps for set goals, Geelong and GWS champion forward Steve Johnson, has defended the around-the-body technique and said times have moved on from thinking the drop punt is always the most reliable option.

Rayner first and then wines. Both on preferred side for the right footer, not a tight angle, kick a drop punt.

— Matthew Lloyd (@MatthewLloyd18) August 4, 2018

Johnson retired after three premierships, a Norm Smith Medal, three All Australian gongs and 516 goals from 293 games and will still have a chance to shape the finals as the forwards coach for Sydney, in which he has leading goal kicker Lance “Buddy” Franklin and South Australian sensation Will Hayward.

Steve Johnson with Lance Franklin at Swans training. Picture. Phil Hillyard

His message to his star pupils will be this: choose what you feel gives you the best percentage of kicking a goal.

“I guess I was one of the first players to do it,” Johnson said. “But I only did it because I thought it was the best chance of kicking a goal.

“I put a lot of practice into it as a young kid and even in the AFL, I put a lot of practice into every kick.

“For me, the percentage (of using a snap) was definitely higher when I was on the angle.

“My stance on is for players to work on all different shots and then work out what they think is going to given them the best chance of kicking a goal, whether that’s a snap or a drop punt.

“It just depends on the player.”

Johnson said he spent little time worrying about what former greats had to say on the issue.

The landscape had changed too much over the past few decades.

“In regards to the commentators I don’t take too much notice of what they say,” Johnson said. “A lot of those guys are old school and probably never practised snap shots (as set shots).

“An article came out recently to show that snaps from the angle actually went through for a goal at a higher percentage than drop punts.

“It’s just when somebody misses he’s accused of lairising or not wanting to face the pressure of a drop punt.

“In reality the players should know in themselves if it’s the right kick for them.”

Originally published as Geelong great Steve Johnson defends Ollie, others who missed set shots with snaps