""I wouldn’t like to think that Hirdy or Lloyd would miss too much footy during the season. They are both champion players and for us to be successful we need them out on the track,"" Johnson said. The coaching panel has decided to rest Hird this week in preparation for Round 1 and Lloyd pulled up sore from a knock to the shin he received in the semi final against St.Kilda. The injury is not series, but according to football manager Dominic Cato, there was no point risking the star full forward.
Due to the recent spate of injuries to senior players, it is a relatively young side travelling to Newcastle for the practice match. Apart from Johnson, Dustin Fletcher, Scott Lucas and Mark Bolton are the only other senior players travelling. Johnson is just starting to find some form and is keen to use the game against Sydney to improve his match fitness.
""Mark Harvey asked me earlier in the week how I was feeling and if I was right to play this weekend. I said I definitely want to play. The practice match against Sydney is the last opportunity for a series hit-out before we face Port in Round 1,"" he said.
By his standards Johnson was quiet in the first half against St.Kilda. Despite kicking a super nine-point goal in the second term, his statistics read four possessions at the main change. ""I was very quiet in the first half against St.Kilda and I can’t afford for that to happen in the real season. I just feel I need another game under my belt before Round 1,"" he said.
