Crows define new role for Johncock

Adelaide Crows veteran Graham Johncock at training earlier this week. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE has defined a new role for veteran and crowd favourite Graham Johncock as he moves into the final phase of his career.

Coach Brenton Sanderson, Johncock and forward coach Mark Bickley discussed Johncock's future last week after he was dropped from the side for the second time this season.

They have now identified his role as a mentor, and one who doesn't necessarily have to play every week.

Sanderson wants him to be on edge and also sees him as a forward rather than in defence, where he has spent the majority of his 227 games.

"I had a good chat with Graham last week, with Mark Bickley, who's his line coach - we see him more as a forward now," Sanderson said.

"He's just going to have to play consistently well to stay in the side. Once again, he's had a great career for us and he's going to have to (stay) on edge to maintain his spot in the side. It's as simple as that.

"But it's not the end for him, by any means. He's offering a lot around the club as well.

"He's so much knowledge and he's played so much footy.

"He has to be able to mentor that next group of young players coming through; that's going to be part of his his role as well.

"But when he's in form, he'll play.

"At the moment, he's out of our side."

Sanderson came to Adelaide after being an assistant coach at Geelong, which regularly rested senior players, and was flexible on how to best use the Crows' other veteran, Ben Rutten.

But Rutten has been dependable this year, keeping most of his opponents quiet and guaranteeing his selection.

"Sometimes you can plan for that (resting players) to happen," Sanderson said.

"I must admit I thought that a little bit with Ben Rutten at the start of the year.

"But he's been one player for us who's just been in red-hot form.

"You probably don't notice him as much on the outside, but his opponent rarely gets much of the footy and rarely has much of an impact on the game.

"So Rutten at his age, Johncock at his age: those guys have to expect to play less footy throughout a season.

"It's just getting harder and harder, you know."

Geelong was instrumental in extending Brad Ottens' career with him becoming their version of Mr September because of the club's fitness staff's ability to time his run.

The question Sanderson will grapple with at the Crows is this: have they got enough depth to cover for Rutten and Johncock so that they can get the most out of the veterans when it matters most?

But his vision does have a clear upside. The reason Johncock is no longer seen as a defender is because they want to get more game time into younger players. Resting Johncock and Rutten at times during the home-and-away season will achieve the same aim.

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