AFL Cats coach defends Johnson - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

AFL Cats coach defends Johnson

Greg Buckle 12/09/2011 10:54:47 PM Comments (0)

Geelong coach Chris Scott says Steve Johnson can make some strange decisions with the ball in hand, but it's a bit rich to label him selfish.

Johnson had a team-high 27 possessions in Friday night's AFL qualifying final win over Hawthorn at the MCG.

But the 2007 Norm Smith Medallist also had seven clangers and managed just one goal from seven shots.

Scott admits Johnson can give him some headaches at times, but says the half-forward also causesplenty of concerns for opposition teams.

The first-year Cats mentor bristled at a suggestion Johnson's performance against the Hawks was selfish.

"We're adamant that we're not going to coach the flair out of his game, as long as it's effective," Scott told FoxSports' On The Couch program on Monday night.

"I'm not anti the `torp'," Scott added, in reference to Johnson's low-percentage move to try a torpedo punt.

"I heard one media commentator refer to him as selfish on the weekend.

"Now that's not true. He's one of the most team-oriented players in the game.

"We've all seen the way he can dish off and his goal assists are first class.

"So I think that's a bit rich."

Scott admitted in Friday's post-match press conference that Johnson frustrated him at times.

"One minute you're tearing your hair out, the next minute you're wondering how he soccered that goal," Scott said.

"If you tried to coach some of that flair out of him you end up with less output."

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