The NRL off-season continues to go from one rumour to the next, but one was finally confirmed this morning as Shaun Johnson was released by the New Zealand Warriors.
The 2014 golden boot winner and veteran of 163 games for the club from Auckland was reportedly frustrated with the club not offering him a new contract for 2020 among other factors and obviously has a new destination sorted out early in Australia, allowing him to leave the club ahead of 2019.
While Johnson told social media there was nothing for him to sign beyond 2019 and that he loved the Warriors, this could be the best move he has made for his career to date.
If there is one thing the Warriors are known for, it’s inconsistency. While that bug didn’t bite them so hard during 2018, it still hit hard at times and Johnson was no exception to the rule.
The Warriors have always had the potential to win competitions and cause genuine headaches for other teams in September, but with the exception of 2014, have failed to do so since Johnson made his debut in 2011.
Their forwards have had the name power there to do well, but struggled to dominate or be competitive on a consistent basis. As the old saying goes, the halves might as well stay in the dressing rooms if the forwards can’t do their job.
But it’s more than just the inconsistency. It’s the constant travel, it’s being out of sight and out of mind at times to the Australian press and it’s having a routine which can’t be easy to settle into when you’re flying four hours or more every second week.
The Auckland-based club – and for that reason, Johnson – have more excuses for their lack of success over the years than you could poke a stick at.
And yet, Johnson still managed to have more talent in his little finger than some players have shown across their whole career. He just frustratingly could barely put 80 minutes together, let alone multiple weeks at a time.
Now, a move to Australia opens the door for Johnson to do something special.
Whether it’s the Dragons, Eels, Raiders, Sharks or somewhere else, the star half could turn himself into the best player in the game under proper coaching and with a good forward pack playing in front of him.
You have to look at the positives of any move like this, and from a club’s point of view, the potential positives of signing him.
As a Dragons fan, I’m not actually sold on him coming to the Red V if Gareth Widdop was to leave as has been reported in the last 24 hours. The combination between him and Ben Hunt may not work out as well as some think, but there is no question Johnson could do some scary things if the Dragons forward pack play like they did during the first half of 2018.
It’s a similar story at the Sharks, which, for all that it’s worth would probably be the best destination for him to end up at.
I wrote just last week when Holmes left that the Sharks would miss the top eight. Despite the difference in positions between Johnson and Holmes, bringing the New Zealand half to the club would change all that, with Matt Moylan able to return to fullback.
While it would mean we are forced to wait longer for a genuine look at Kyle Flanagan, Johnson has history playing alongside the steady hand of Chad Townsend, who has only improved in leaps and bounds since leaving Auckland. Johnson had one of his best seasons last year playing alongside Blake Green, who ran the show in Auckland.
It’s why the combination with Hunt may not work. Johnson needs to play alongside an organiser like Green or Townsend, and on the back of a Sharks forward pack which, while ageing, is still incredibly strong, could create all sorts of space and opportunities for Johnson.
Being able to put prolonged pressure on is something the Sharks specialise in, and while Johnson’s style is different to what Cronulla have had over the years, he would give them an attacking flair to go with their dogged determination and ability to dominate up front.
Give multiple opportunities for Johnson to score, and nine times out of ten, he will find a way for the team to get over the line, as he did at the Warriors.
He has acceleration and an excellent vision to read the game before it happens. Some of his work both with and without the ball at the Warriors over the years has been phenomenal, and he probably hasn’t received the recognition he deserves, simply because of how poor the Warriors have been at times.
Obviously, there are flaws (read, multiple errors), that he needs to work out of his game to be successful, but that comes with the high-risk style Johnson plays.
Put him alongside the organisational type, a strong forward pack and a better routine, and he could have an excellent 2019 and beyond.
Even if he doesn’t want to leave the Warriors, this is the best move for his own career and legacy by the time it’s all said and done. Whether it’s the Sharks, Dragons, or somewhere else, the same principles apply, and clubs would be mad to not at least have a look at the man known as ‘SJ.’
Calmblueoceans
Roar Rookie
Stuart would be the perfect coach. No matter how badly he played he would never be dropped plus he might get a run in all those other positions he always wanted to try like Hingano.
Rob
Guest
Scotty I think Johnson is better playing in the 6 as a ball runner? Maybe the Sharks with Townsend at first receiver doing the majority of the kicking duties would be catalyst for his talent to shine. The greatest problem for Johnson in the Warriors system was the lack of a strong consistent kicking game. He’s a fantastic runner of the football with great vision but the responsibility of steering his team around the park and finding a good finish to a set is something foreign to him. Kicking is the difference between finishing top 4 and making up the numbers. Lachlan Lewis turned an ordinary Bulldogs team around. Cronk has plenty of Premiership rings. Rabbits had the most points and Reynolds kicked the most metres? Morgan got the Cowboys into a GF. Johnson doesn’t have a strong, smart consistent kicking game.
thomas c
Guest
Maybe the lesson is to only accept a pay packet you can deliver on. Dude needs a premiership to vindicate the expectations.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Nothing supposed he did disappear. If you are on $1m you are a leader, he didn't lead. But if you prefer the longer sample size; He had two line breaks in his last 12 games, and over the same period (from Rd 15 on) ranked 84th on tackle breaks - neither are great numbers for a player who's strength is his explosive speed. He rated fine for LBA's and TA's and he is a good player, but I just wouldn't mortgage the farm for him. He is Anthony Milford not Cooper Cronk - but you could argue Milford has more upside being 4 years younger. The scenario of a one year player at the Sharks is probably viable although do you really want Townsend, Moylan and Johnson all on the same team from a defensive persepctive? Given Flanagan's focus on defence, I would say that is a concern. But given Kyle isn't a flight risk, letting him develop for another year wouldn't be a bad thing. That said, a poor season for the Sharks may put S.Flanagan under pressure and then you have the whole Cleary scenario all over again.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Hey Renegade. Yeah - expecting big things from Sutton and John Bateman. They look like real competitors. Hodgson and Whitehead have been brilliant with a fantastic work ethic so hopefully the new pommy recruits can live up to their standards. The Raiders haven't had a great half since Campo was on fire before his knee injury in 2010 so someone like Shaun Johnson is just what they need. There is a fantastic article about Campo's feats in a recent DT article. Well worth a read. That ACL injury against the Tigers was the beginjing of the end unfortunately. Our supporters can only imagine how good the Raiders could have been if Campo didn't get injured and Carney, Dugan and Ferguson had stayed off the p&ss. Water under the bridge now - that horse has bolted to use yet another metaphor. Shaun Johnson could have slotted in beautifully in the current squad but the stars may not have aligned at the right time with available cap space. Might have had a better chnace in 2020 if he was available. Given the Sharks' loss of Holmes. Rainier, Leutele and Lee I can imagine they have a bit of money in the bank - plus the retirement of Lewis. I would have loved to have seen what Johnson could have done with a backline of BJ, Rapana, Cotric, Croker etc but it probably won't happen unless the club can get creative somehow.
Peter Piper
Guest
Does not make sense at all. If he has no long term commitment to the club then he is just gonna milk the sharkies until his Roosters contract becomes valid. Not sure I would want my club taking him on a 1 year basis. For 1 year, he is just gonna go through the motions.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Geoff, Who seriously wouldn’t want him in their team? Yeah Bateman is a good one, Raiders seem to be lining up all the Pom test stars.
Potshot
Guest
I just don't think so. Some fragile psyche with this player. He'll likely move to the UK after a couple of average seasons. His kicking game is poor especially tackle 5 options although he can kick goals. He was very comfortable in the NZ set up. An Australian set up might not suit him and there's always the problem of consistency. He doesn't take responsibility like the best halves. He goes missing when he's needed. Good move I say not only for him but for the Warriors who can try something different now.
Pat
Guest
The over reaction to SJ and the supposed "disappearance" in the Panthers game has been way over the top. Classic easy to jump on narrative that gathers steam. When RTS got injured the team was not prepared enough for Hiku at fullback. Each set the Warriors started on back foot. And the pack in general disappeared and were monstered. No-one can play with the complete lack of ball and territory that occurred that day. But hey, why get in the way of a good league narrative
souvalis
Roar Rookie
On that basis Munster wouldn’t be worth 2 bob...if Sharkies get him for a year at what they were paying Holmes we fans ought to get excited..particularly with the fullback role/idea starting to gain momentum.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
They say 'you are only as good as your last game' - Shaun's last game (semi final v Penrith) was diabolical. Not because he had a high error rate but because he completely disappeared. I am sure plenty of clubs would be interested, and he would make some teams better - but I wouldn't mortgage the club future for him.
Don
Roar Rookie
If you are going to play Milford at 5/8 rather than fullback, then purely for that role I’d take Norman over Milf. If you are going to keep playing Nikorima at 7 then I’d take Norman as 5/8 over Milf every time. Norman has a poor 2018 but his form and consistently at Parra until this season had been top notch. Had Norman held his 2017 form this year he would have likely been in or around the QLD origin squad and must be kicking himself for it. And Norman was being shopped around by his manager last year and the Broncos said no.
Stu
Guest
I think people need to get off the he was on $1m a season issue. Yes he was on $1m a season for ONE YEAR - 2018 and he performed well. He managed to take them 2 points away from first. If he hadn't missed 6 games through injury they probably would have got there (Lino was 3/6). People say he under delivered 2012-2016 but he was only on $300k at the beginning to $750k at the end, hardly marquee money (see Adam Blair's salary). Where were the real leaders during that time?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You're probably right Renegade - you'd know more about the club's inner workings than I would - it makes a good story. But on the surface it appears that the Sharks are struggling for sponsors, appear to have made a big loss last season, and haven't offered an extension to their coach. Doesn't appear too rosy on the surface. But good luck to you if you can land Shaun Johnson. I would have loved to have seen him in green and am surprised the club hasn't tried to make an offer. I would have thought they would have had a bit of cash with Austin, Boyd and Paulo all gone and only having recruited the two Poms Sutton and Bateman. Will be interesting to see how Johnson goes at another club.
Renegade
Roar Guru
“Daily telegraph story states”.... should’ve stopped there Geoff. The sackings have more to do with politics associated to the new leadership team vs old than any financials... Shaun knows even from NZ that the DT is a fictional novel not anything close to resembling a source of truth.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I like Shaun Johnson as a player - brilliant on his day - and probably too much is expected of him because we all know how good he can be. But I can understand the Warriors logic to let him go as he has had 8 years to make his mark at the club and they had very few finals appearances to show for it - not all his fault though. Plus he is on $1 million per season. Will be interesting to see where he goes. The Sharks seem to be the obvious choice due to the release of a number of players including their superstar Val Holmes - but they seem to have some real financial issues at the moment. A Daily Telegraph story states they've had to sack 10 staff and finsihed the 2018 season with a $3 million loss. The Sharks have also been under salary cap scrutiny for previous seasons and can't even table an offer to extend their coach. Something smells fishy (or is that Sharky?)Shaun needs to choose wisely
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You have no sense of humour Sharkman - its called having a laugh - some of you Sharks supporters ought to lighten up a little. Duncan and Emcie got it. Maybe you should stick to the serious stuff as humour seems to go over your head.
Watcher
Guest
Warriors fan here. A well written article Scott. One thing missing is that probably the most improved part of his game is his Defence so whoever he signs with will get the benefit of that. SJ at his best is a joy to watch. Watching his highligjts reel shows just how good he is. However his development was hinfered at the Warriors due to poor management. Thus there are gaps in his game that were never addressed. A whole lot of stuff has been written about the parting of the ways but always it is two sided. He always comes over as a decent bloke so thanks Shaun and all the best. I truely hope he can reach his potential.
Sharkman
Guest
What a pointless conversation stick to the facts and add something meaningful. Johnson to the sharks means a premiership in the bag.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Not sure Bennett's got anything to do with Norman not being there, he'd signed with Parra long before Wayne even looked like leaving the Knights. That said I'm not sure Norman is the way forward for the Broncos, for all the criticism the Brisbane halves have copped they've been much more consistant and effective then Norman has been at the Eels