Doctor
Bench
- Messages
- 3,612
There is no doubt Johns is flat -- everyone knows it, including the great halfback himself. I suppose the big question is: why? He's started winding down, with retirements from both levels of rep football and a channel 9 gig beckoning. I don't think he is going anywhere too fast though -- don't forget that last year he extended his contract by another two years... I think he has every intention of playing next season at least.
Why is he flat? Besides the above-mentioned, I also think he is wearing himself out with having to do a lot of the work. He is still being relied upon to do a lot of the key plays, and given he is already fairly flat, it's only really making things worse.
A welcome relief was Jarrod Mullen last week -- his kicking game was twice as good as Kurt Gidley's, and he performed reasonably well for a newcomer. The good thing about his play is that he doesn't rely on Johns to do anything -- they are separate entities with virtually no reliance on each other. It means we have a playmaker, kicker and go-to man either side of the field... something we haven't had in quite a while.
Newcastle hasn't had a genuine 5/8th since Matthew Johns left because we have relied heavily on Johns and haven't seen the need to complicate things. I think Mullen has a good head on his shoulders and have no reason to think he won't take more pressure of Johns in the coming months (when he returns)... with a better 5/8th, the focus on Johns will be lessened and therefore his workload will theoretically decrease hence a longer life expentancy and a better team performance.
Why is he flat? Besides the above-mentioned, I also think he is wearing himself out with having to do a lot of the work. He is still being relied upon to do a lot of the key plays, and given he is already fairly flat, it's only really making things worse.
A welcome relief was Jarrod Mullen last week -- his kicking game was twice as good as Kurt Gidley's, and he performed reasonably well for a newcomer. The good thing about his play is that he doesn't rely on Johns to do anything -- they are separate entities with virtually no reliance on each other. It means we have a playmaker, kicker and go-to man either side of the field... something we haven't had in quite a while.
Newcastle hasn't had a genuine 5/8th since Matthew Johns left because we have relied heavily on Johns and haven't seen the need to complicate things. I think Mullen has a good head on his shoulders and have no reason to think he won't take more pressure of Johns in the coming months (when he returns)... with a better 5/8th, the focus on Johns will be lessened and therefore his workload will theoretically decrease hence a longer life expentancy and a better team performance.
