jamesgould
27-02-2006, 04:39 PM
This would be good if it happened, but I can see Johns not wanting to come off. Mullen needs the experience for when Johns retires though, and at the moment it would seem that Kurt Gidley is going to be playing in the 6.
Hagan plans to rest Joey
By Dean Ritchie
February 27, 2006
NEWCASTLE coach Michael Hagan last night revealed he would consider resting his most prized asset, Andrew Johns, as much as possible this season to ensure the champion halfback's longevity.
Johns played just 26 minutes in his first outing of the season, Saturday's trial match against Cronulla in Coffs Harbour.
Hagan confirmed he could adopt a philosophy of resting Johns rather than playing him for the entire 80 minutes.
"I guess when he gets his match fitness back we can then play it by ear," Hagan said. "We will see who we are playing and who we have available.
"We could consider less minutes for 'Joey' in matches. But we'd have to convince him of that.
"But there is that chance. Kurt [Gidley] and Jarred [Mullen] will give us more flexibility at halfback which is good.
"It's also about how we manage him at training."
Johns and Hagan have spoken about the champion halfback completing less work at training.
Hagan has been forced to contemplate the situation after a string of serious injuries in recent seasons for Johns who turns 32 this year and remains contracted until 2008.
Bulldogs legend Terry Lamb was a non-trainer towards the end of his career in the mid-1990s.
"It could be like Terry Lamb," said Johns' manager John Fordham.
"But Joey is so passionate about his football. Injury would be the only thing to stop him playing."
There is a theory Johns could become an impact player. He could cause his mayhem and then be interchanged to keep his body fresh.
However, former New Zealand and Balmain halfback Gary Freeman has doubts.
"I think Joey will play 80 minutes each week when the premiership starts," Freeman said last night.
"It could be beneficial to rest him if he gets some injuries but he's been pretty unlucky in that regard and I think he will avoid injuries this year.
"You can't have a player of his calibre on the bench, even if they are winning by 20 points.
"Last year they struggled when he didn't play. When he is back and they are winning, he will want to be out there."
Former Test five-eighth Brett Kenny also doubts the Knights will protect Johns too much.
"He's too good a player to have off the field," Kenny said.
"If I was coach, I would want him out there for a long as possible.
"Maybe, if Newcastle are winning a match comfortably, they might be able to take him off for a rest. You want him out there for his quality."
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18282621-23214,00.html
Hagan plans to rest Joey
By Dean Ritchie
February 27, 2006
NEWCASTLE coach Michael Hagan last night revealed he would consider resting his most prized asset, Andrew Johns, as much as possible this season to ensure the champion halfback's longevity.
Johns played just 26 minutes in his first outing of the season, Saturday's trial match against Cronulla in Coffs Harbour.
Hagan confirmed he could adopt a philosophy of resting Johns rather than playing him for the entire 80 minutes.
"I guess when he gets his match fitness back we can then play it by ear," Hagan said. "We will see who we are playing and who we have available.
"We could consider less minutes for 'Joey' in matches. But we'd have to convince him of that.
"But there is that chance. Kurt [Gidley] and Jarred [Mullen] will give us more flexibility at halfback which is good.
"It's also about how we manage him at training."
Johns and Hagan have spoken about the champion halfback completing less work at training.
Hagan has been forced to contemplate the situation after a string of serious injuries in recent seasons for Johns who turns 32 this year and remains contracted until 2008.
Bulldogs legend Terry Lamb was a non-trainer towards the end of his career in the mid-1990s.
"It could be like Terry Lamb," said Johns' manager John Fordham.
"But Joey is so passionate about his football. Injury would be the only thing to stop him playing."
There is a theory Johns could become an impact player. He could cause his mayhem and then be interchanged to keep his body fresh.
However, former New Zealand and Balmain halfback Gary Freeman has doubts.
"I think Joey will play 80 minutes each week when the premiership starts," Freeman said last night.
"It could be beneficial to rest him if he gets some injuries but he's been pretty unlucky in that regard and I think he will avoid injuries this year.
"You can't have a player of his calibre on the bench, even if they are winning by 20 points.
"Last year they struggled when he didn't play. When he is back and they are winning, he will want to be out there."
Former Test five-eighth Brett Kenny also doubts the Knights will protect Johns too much.
"He's too good a player to have off the field," Kenny said.
"If I was coach, I would want him out there for a long as possible.
"Maybe, if Newcastle are winning a match comfortably, they might be able to take him off for a rest. You want him out there for his quality."
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18282621-23214,00.html