Shaun Johnson has won the 2014 Golden Boot award as the best player in rugby league, but the 2015 NRL season will be his real litmus test.
Johnson beat Sam Burgess, who came second in the voting. James Graham was third, Greg Inglis fourth, Johnathan Thurston fifth, and Jesse Bromwich sixth.
The Warriors and Kiwi halfback becomes only the fourth New Zealander to win the award.
He receives it on the back of an outstanding Four Nations where he led his team to glory. As I wrote recently, Johnson came of age in that tournament and his international partnership with Kieran Foran keeps getting better and better.
The hot-stepping, skilful half was the man of the match in Game 1 of the Four Nations against Australia, and received the same honour in the final against the same opposition.
His kicking game was excellent, he scored two tries and set up plenty for his teammates. Johnson was the undoubted star of the competition, hence the Golden Boot award over Burgess, who did not feature.
Burgess was brilliant in the NRL, helping end the Rabbitohs’ premiership drought, but his move to join rugby union, thereby missing the Four Nations, didn’t help his cause.
The former Souths forward winning the Golden Boot gong would not have gone down well with some in the rugby league community.
Johnson’s NRL season was up and down, you could say satisfactory at best, with the Warriors failing to reach the finals. International form is weighted higher than club form for the Golden Boot, but it is difficult to compare 4 matches to 24 regular season games in the NRL.
The Four Nations was a sprint but the NRL is a marathon.
In 21 NRL games in 2014 Johnson scored nine tries. In 24 matches in 2013 he crossed for 10, 22 games for a haul of 12 in 2012, and 16 matches for 6 in his debut season.
Johnson was not in the top 20 for try assists in the NRL this year, with Johnathan Thurston (31) and Cooper Cronk (25) at the top, and his teammate Sam Tomkins in front with 12. He was not in the top 20 for line break assists either – with Thurston (19) and Justin Hodges (17) at the top – or for line breaks.
He finished sixth in the point-scoring list with 163, behind Thurston, James Maloney, Adam Reynolds, Jarrod Croker and Jamie Lyon. Johnson was ranked ninth for kicks in play but was not among the top 20 try-scorers.
What does this tell us?
Consistency is still Johnson’s issue. There’s no doubting his phenomenal talent, and his terrific display in the Four Nations this year, but he needs to produce week-in, week-out. It’s easier when you have Foran beside you and Issac Luke at hooker, both world-class operators.
To reach the level of a Thurston and Cronk, he needs to dominate in the NRL consistently.
Lead the Warriors into the semis in 2015, and maybe another grand final appearance, and there won’t be any argument. Combine that with driving New Zealand to a Test series win over England in the UK, and the mantle of world’s best player won’t be in dispute with anyone.
A maturing Johnson with international success on his resume, the kid who grew up idolising Stacey Jones and Andrew Johns, will be fascinating to watch next year.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Watcher
Guest
I think it has to be recognised that there are good players who aren't Aussies. Another thing is athat the Warriors, along with the Cowboys are on the receiving end of dodgy referees decisions on a constant basis.
Muzz
Guest
I think it's payback for the Trevor Chappell underarm incident.
Dallas
Guest
I could name ten players i would of picked before him. His halves partner for the kiwis being one of them.
Muzz
Guest
A little more respect for the worlds best player thank you Dallas.He carved our B team up.
Dallas
Guest
What a joke
The eye
Guest
and if you talk of season consistency I think you'd need to score more than 10 points total in the Dally M's...22 behind JT...and just 1 in front of Wallace who only played 1/2 the season..blaming his forwards is a cop out..Hunt and the Bronx finished on equal points,still managed 28...and Raudonikis interview says he twice represented Australia whilst his club was wooden spooners....
Watcher
Guest
As a Warriors supporter you can take Matulino off the consistent list. Shaun is developing well. His defence has improved out of sight and he is starting to direct the team well. Probably was introduced into FG a little early. The comments about a good 6 are spot on. The Warriors really want Foran. However they have Townsend who also went OK last year, until (inexplicably) dropped for Leuluei. The problem for Shaun was the forwards not consistently setting the platform. They relied too much on Vatuvei, Hurrell and Laumape for metres. If they can raise their game, and a fit Matulino, along with Hoffman introduced into the pack will go some way towards this. Then I truly believe Shaun will go to another level. I think he has the potential to be up there with Andrew Johns and Stacey Jones. However, one definition of potential is that the performances have not been delivered.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Yes, which means he didn't play in the Four Nations so it was pretty hard to win an award if you weren't able to play in the matches that generally hold sway in deciding the winner.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
So don't worry about it.
Kris
Guest
And Hayne was better then Burgess, but he didn't even make it onto the shortlist. Irrelevant award, it means nothing.
Mike from Tari
Guest
He had a compound fracture of the zygoma & fractured eye socket so he couldn't play even if he did not go to Union, anyone who reckons that Johnson is a better player than Sammy Burgess has to be a one eyed Kiwi or Warriors supporter, let's hope Johnson sets the dance floor alight next year because he has big Golden Boots to fill if he is to follow in the footsteps of previous winners.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Consistency isn't so much the issue of Johnson as the issue with his forward pack (largely travel induced I suspect), the Warriors forwards have a nasty habit of falling away late in games and they are also pretty inconsistent with Matulino, Lillyman, and Mannering the only regular performers.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah agree TB I imagine the Warriors will go hard for him. But I'm not sure if he will uproot his family to move to NZ. But I guess he might if the price is right.
Akari
Roar Rookie
A fair assessment JD and 2015 will tell us, barring any injuries, whether Shaun has stepped up and lead the Warriors to the finals.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Exactly and it should highlight to the Warriors how important it is to have a quality 6 playing alongside him. Hate to say it eJ but they're mad if they don't throw everything at Foran to try and sign him.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not in the Top 20 for try assists or linebreak assists says it all really. They are key stats you want your half to be topping. Creating opportunities for those around them. Johnson is a fantastic player but if I was a Kiwi supporter Id be more concerned if Foran was out for an extended period.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
He didn't play in the Four Nations so if the award is weighted towards Test football then his absence becomes very relevant.
Terry
Guest
Burgess was easily better than Shaun all year. The fact he switched codes AFTER the 4 Nations is irrelevant.