Four years after he last combined with Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson has boldly predicted he will pick up where he left off with the playmaker in the Cronulla halves in 2019.
Former Golden Boot winner Johnson says he has hit the ground running at the Sharks since seeking an off-season release from the Warriors which launched his stunning career back in 2011.
While Johnson admitted it was a culture shock to move to a new club, the playmaker believed it was just like old times after linking with halfback Townsend who enjoyed a Warriors stint from 2014-15.
Johnson has been impressed with how much Townsend has transformed at Cronulla since their Warriors playing days, but believed they still had plenty in common.
“We were both just boys back then. Coming here and seeing him in such a leadership role and having such a voice around the club it’s been really impressive,” he told NRL.com website.
“But I am sure our combination is going to pick straight up where we left it.
“It takes time (to combine) but the benefit for me is that I am coming into a system that is already very well established.
“They have a certain way they want to play and that has worked for a number of years now – hopefully I add to that and bring my own flavour to it.”
Johnson also predicted big things from his combination with Matt Moylan, who moved to fullback after the Kiwi superstar sought a release from his final year at the Warriors and signed a three season Sharks deal.
“Working with Moylan at the back, I think it is coming along nicely,” Johnson said.
“He is an out and out footy player, doesn’t overthink situations, just plays what is in front of him which is what I really like.
“I think we are going to have a pretty good combo this year.”
Johnson’s Warriors departure may have raised eyebrows but the 29-Test New Zealand star said it was just the change he needed ahead of his ninth NRL season.
“I have come in with a different mindset. It has freshened me up, hopefully we can see that with my footy this year,” he said.
Sylvester
Guest
I think Johnson liked the criticism - the closest thing to consistency he ever knew...
Bobby Magee
Guest
Johnson never gave them wins so im not sure of your reference to Kearney's "presser" as you have called it.......Johnson has let far more coaches down than just Kearney and is not worth the $1m he was on....Im so glad to see the bloke go as he has not guided his team to win anything and has stuffed too many chances....lets hope his lack of travel at his new club suits him
Clanger McClunk
Guest
I'm looking forward to seeing Johnson play with Cronulla, In his time at Auckland he showed what a brilliant player he can be, but not often enough. It was almost as "I don't feel like it today," or "today I do feel like it," and he played accordingly. He has the talent, no doubt about that, let's hope he uses it more consistently this year.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Through his years at the Warriors Johnson was criticised consistently , over just about everything . The change of scenery should be great for him . I think he will slot right in there no drama . I would like to see him do really well . I am also looking forward to Kearney's post game presser if the Warriors are winless through the first 6 Rounds .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Moylan and Johnson could really fire as a combo. The fact that Johnson and Towsend played together before is a non event. The last six titles have been won by new halves combinations so the evidence is more in favor of new combinations not old. I played many years of touch footy and could combine instantly with some players from other teams when you played together but couldn't combine with some players from my own team after playing more than a hundred games together. Moylan and Johnson have a similar mindset but also the talent to make it work. They see possibilities that most other players don't. I'm tipping them to be one of the best combos in the game from round one.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I really like the potential developing at the Sharks. They have a good mix of tough experience ( Gallen, Woods, Graham, Prior, Morris & Dugan) with 3 of the most creative players in the NRL ( Fifita, Moylan & Johnson) and they have some great young talent coming through ( The Brayley boys, Kyle Flanagan, Sorensen, Williams ). Perhaps there may be a query on their outside backs and of course the coaching situation ? But overall, I think they look to be serious contenders this season.
peeeko
Roar Guru
typical pre season talk. i am sure they are training the house down in the toughest off season ever. they are great mates now. come round 6 we will be hearing how it will take them many more months to gel