Modern footy often looks like just 18 guys running all over the place, but there are still units in a footy team that are teams-within-a-team. The defence is one of those. To understand the worth of any one player you need to consider their place as part of the whole.
The best defence Freo has ever had was in the 2013 GF era: McPharlin, Johnno, Ibbo, Spurr, Duffman and Dawson. Nearly all of those players were limited in some way, but they were more than the sum of their parts because they complimented each other. We saw how much we relied on Ibbo in the GF where his likely opponent in Gunston kicked four goals. We saw how much we missed Duffman when he got too slow and we missed his kicking ability. Dawson was the most limited, but his height allowed MJ to play as a loose man and be an outlet going the other way. Johnno was the straw that stirred the drink. It was his smarts, his flexibility, his unflappability and his bravery kicking the ball that made that defence work. He was the captain of the defence.
As the defence is currently constructed, the gaps Johnno has to cover are fewer. Most of the guys back there can kick now. Most can hold their own one-on-one (although Wilson got a little exposed last week). Most seem to be pretty smart about the way they position themselves and attack from defence.
If we want to go small, I think A Pearce and Hamling are more important players now, and obviously in the future. But if Johnno’s not there I’m not sure who becomes the leader of that defence. While his individual abilities have diminished, I still think he’s a big loss for the way he organises the defence.
I for one will be keeping a close eye on how we organise the backline. My guess is A Pearce is the guy directing traffic in Johnno’s absence, but if I were the backline coaches I’d be having Johnno in the box and he’d be the first person I’d seek out at quarter time if I was A Pearce.
