Player Shaun Johnson

[MrFrankWhite]

Man I feel that some are being a bit harsh on Webby.

Last year, everything went right for him. As a coach I think he had a lot to do with that, but also I think we had like 11 or 12 players have career best years, which would have helped immensely.

This year we've not had much luck with injuries and form (and a few did calls along the way), but also I really do think that every team has aimed up against us. We've had no easy games which has resulted in our players being quite knackered.

Webby's not without fault - he's struggled with his bench immensely imo, and hasn't been able to get the balance right this year. He's also moved players around more than he did last year, and struggled to bring in youth when needed. Very few rookie coaches are able to replicate back to back to back years of strong performances. I'm happy that even tho things have been so disappointing for us this year we're still a good chance to make the finals - he's instilled a lot positives in to this club and at the end of the day, we'd probably all be singing his praises right now if a couple of those one percenters went out way (Coates try in the corner, Bulldogs missed TMM call, first Titans game this year).

I think he'll lead us to the promised land. It's just not very likely it's gunna be this year

You are right, but thats the burden of leadership. Im a harsh a critic as any, but Im not calling for him to be fired.

 

[Defence]

He also confirms the Roosters offered him a deal, but doubles down for the millionth time that it is the Warriors or retirement.

Must admit, this kinda blows me away. A 2 year deal to finish his career at the roosters would've given him a red-hot shot at the premiership he so craves plus it was big money and uncle nick would've set him up for the rest of his life after footy.
He must REALLY love this club.

 

[Damo]

Must admit, this kinda blows me away. A 2 year deal to finish his career at the roosters would've given him a red-hot shot at the premiership he so craves plus it was big money and uncle nick would've set him up for the rest of his life after footy.
He must REALLY love this club.

To be fair, he's already set up for life. Been smart with his money

 

[kos]

Must admit, this kinda blows me away. A 2 year deal to finish his career at the roosters would've given him a red-hot shot at the premiership he so craves plus it was big money and uncle nick would've set him up for the rest of his life after footy.
He must REALLY love this club.

He had a crack at Sydney
Sounds like he prefers Nz and home is where the family is again Nz.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

To be fair, he's already set up for life. Been smart with his money

Even so, not too many would turn down 1.6 mil for 2 years work, along with potential better opportunities in Sydney post footy. I would guess that money would be slightly over 15% of what he's made from his footy contracts (not including 3rd party), it's pretty great money...

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Why do coaches play injured players? I just don’t get it. Surely a fully fit player who is slightly green is still better than bloke who is completely broken. It’s a pysically sport for fuck sake.

Sounds like some of the injuries will never come fully right and it’s play through it or retire.

He had to give it a try coming back but Father Time is calling.

 

[Worried2Death]

Sounds like some of the injuries will never come fully right and it’s play through it or retire.

He had to give it a try coming back but Father Time is calling.

Does atm, who knows next year, doesn't look good though. He's just a small cog in an entertainment business machine after all, hopefully he recognises that privately, probably does.

Just listened to the pod, personally I'd choose being able to walk over a trophy and adulation, if that's what he's weighing up. Do what's best for your kids Shaun, you'll always be an ultimate Warrior, no need to end up in a wheelchair now after all the joy you've given us.

 

[kos]

Yes SJ has nothing to prove
He has done it all apart from premiership
You only get one opportunity with your kids
He should follow that path
His reputation legacy would stand intact

 

[snake77]

The first lot of quotes it read like retirement. Then you look at the retirement comments it seems like the first lot of quotes are more injury related in that he can't battle through it any longer.

The connection though is at his age and how long a career he's had the two (injuries, needing to retire) do become related.

Injury wise we have had a good run with him since he returned to the club. He came back to the club recovering from a serious injury.

It is a tough decision for him. Retire this year on a poor year. It wouldn't be how he'd want to finish. Or hopefully come back next year and repeat last years form and the team goes well like in 2023. If he comes back next year it could go either way. He could direct the side around and have another great year or he could be injury disrupted or worse he could look well off the pace and need to be dropped. In sport very few finish on a fairy tale. There are only so many one more years to contribute to the clubs first premiership.

There is a good chance the club will rebound from this year which has been disappointing after 2023. However, after 2011 which finished with a lot of promise and 2012 was disappointing a turn around in 2013, 2014... wasn't unreasonable. That soon turned into a long finals drought.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

The first episode of SJ's podcast has now dropped, some quotes here-

Re: Injury

Matua Mark (Producer of the show, MC at Mount Smart):
"How does that take place that conversation, is it you going to management and saying guys you know what I have been going through time to take a knee here or is them saying hey dude we've got promising halves pairing who have won in the past, how did that happen?"

Shaun:
"Well to be fair they were probably going to drop my ass anyway. After I toss that up they probably, bro, this bloke is out"

"It was at a point where I knew- The relationship I have with Andrew Webster our coach is one like I've never had, like with any of the coaches. One of pure trust, transparency and supreme confidence that he has got my back."

"After the Titans game it was as simple as I went to him and I said to him 'I cannot do this anymore' and he looked at me and nodded the head [sic] in agreeance because he knew exactly what I was feeling and also he's got games of football to win, and at that point in time Im not the best option, at that level I am playing at, and that's a tough pill to swallow because In my mind I know what I can do but when you can't back in up physically it's so tough to swallow, and after that game, it was a rock bottom snap where it's like, bro, you are kidding yourself if you think you belong in this arena right now, you are letting you teammates down, you are letting yourself down. I actually approached the coaching staff, but it was met with agreeance. it wasn't met with anything like they aren't trying to convince me to keep going it was like yep 100%, and we will do whatever we can to make sure you can get on top of this"

Also said the decision was with him going out on the Achilles early in the first place, and the injury got to the point where he was having difficulty getting around his house/going up and down the stairs.

---

Re: Webby

"In terms of character, and that's the real sign of it, a great coach, that is why I said it last year, you believe in the systems you put in place are so strong that no individual is bigger than that system. and he has been tested time and time. he got tested, in the scheme of things [sic], pretty lightly last year, you know we had a really good year, things were clicking we were all healthy, we were loving it, boom that flowed. This year, the way he has rolled with the punches but upheld what he believes wins us football games and driven them even harder in those times is probably, to me, just cements what I already thought of the guy.

"You know he is going to have a long, successful coaching career, One, he is a great person; Two, he is very firm and very clear on what wins football games, sometimes in a long season of NRL you can sometimes lose sight or take maybe things for granted, and maybe it takes a few losses or a performance you didn't see coming like getting beat by 60 to really just bring you back and dive in and circle in on what you know wins footy games. So he has handled this period tremendously, I think, you know, the way he has rallied the troops and backed up those senior players, the likes of Mitch Barnett, Dylan Walker, Te Maire Martin coming in and just playing out of his skin, doing his job, then Chanel, just people stepping up, and that's what we are about"

---

Re: Halves pairing and being a teammate

Shaun:
"It will always be nothing but support and love for any of my teammates and in a space where I hope, how do I say this right, I hope that they feel that, because I have been in environments where senior players have been on the out or have had an injury and I guess have not been included in a lot of things-"

Brooke Ruscoe (Co-Host, Former Tall Black and Mai FM Host):
"You can feel the energy."

Shaun:
"The energy shifts dramatically, the impact it can have on younger players coming through. It can become really toxic, really quick, so I have had some good examples of what it shouldn't look like. And I just want to be the best possible teammate for them, like always an open book if they have got questions, now Te Maire is playing better than I have all year so he ain't asking me shit, I mean he ain't asking me nothing, you know like I'm going to have to to the bro, say hey can you come help me out.

"It has to be that open door, and we work like- in preseason, we all work together, and we play scenarios out 'Shaun you are out, T you are middle service' [sic], 'Chanel you're left edge', Chanel you're middle service, T you are on the right-"

Brooke:
"You forget about Luke Met as well"

"Luke, you're on ball, you know, like we have a system, we all work to better each other but to understand how the team is best going to play as one, that's still the messaging. Just because I am out injured, I still want to be there as best I can and help where I can without sort of overstepping and trying to make it about me when it's not- Step back and let the boys get to work"

Mark:
"Let's make this about you Shaun, just for a moment. Have you always been that type of person, or has this come with a fine wine, of age, that you see the importance of being able to share knowledge and have you had to learn that, or is that something you have always been"

Shaun:
"I'm probably not the right person to ask whether that has always been me but I have found through other leaders I have had in the past, the type of leader I have always wanted to be, I have had some really good examples, and I have had some poor examples, and I think to best answer that question ultimately I think as a person, so forget me as an athlete, I remember Butch saying to me when I first came into first grade, the greatest gift you can give someone is your time, and I will never, ever forget that, and I think regardless of whether I am in the Warriors building, or if I am out, I just think that is probably my nature, just to give people time.

"I often get asked if a kid comes up and asks for a photo of me if you're out at dinner and someone comes to ask. There is a manner to ask, don't get me wrong, but does that ever get annoying? I have never found that annoying; I have found it a privilege. I've always been like; I remember when the shoe was on the other foot, and the difference and the impact something like this could make on would've made on me, and could potentially make on the little kid or even the dad who's pretending the photo is for his daughter, its probably all I can say on that Matua, I can't say it has always been me, but what has always been me is being open and giving people my time, and in the building, in where I work and what I do every day when I'm a senior player, and I do have runs on the board and knowledge I have accumulated over a career of work if someone wants to know, I will answer it but I will never force it or blurt it onto someone."

---

Re: Retirement/Extending

I can't keep transcribing this entire thing, so listen to the podcast for full details haha

The gist of it is that he is as torn as he has ever been, he feels uneasy about not knowing what will happen next year, but there are conversations ongoing. Paraphrasing, while he doesn't want to come off as arrogant, he still thinks he is the best option for the Warriors at 7 when he is healthy, and until that changes then he is going to keep being torn on it. Winning a prem with us is the only thing he needs to tick off, but at the same time, he enjoys not being in pain moving around his house, playing with his kids, etc.

He also confirms the Roosters offered him a deal, but doubles down for the millionth time that it is the Warriors or retirement.

I hope this can finally put to bed that Shaun is somehow a toxic, arrogant, divisive element behind the scenes that a number of posters and *ahem* former members were trying to paint him out to be. Despite not playing to the standard he needed to be this season largely influenced by injury his heart remains Warriors first n foremost....good to see he's still involved behind the scenes and heavily supportive of Te Maire and Chanel (and those 2 love him).

Interesting he talks about times where senior or injured players weren't really valued and some toxic enviroments, no doubt over his Warriors history there's been some pretty dysfunctional years and set ups and there's probably no one more qualified to comment on it than SJ who remains our last remaining link over that period since 2011.

I still say the eventual book is going to be a fascinating read....especially if he keeps it warts n all.

 

[Jeetz]

Hope SJ takes the rest of this year off and gets his body right for one last crack next year. I trust webby and the playing group will learn from the lessons of this season and can return to form next year.

 

[Aman 2.0]

I love you boys.

 

[Makasene]

I get the sense from listening to him talk about it, that it is leaning towards retirement at this stage and he is trying to grapple with that, or he is trying to fight against it

Most retired elite sports players say that when you start umming and ahhhing about it - the decision is already made.

The only difference with SJ is that the extension would legitimately be the last dance - that must be tempting. Would have to imagine it is highly unlikely he would go around again after that.

The other part is that if he re-signs he has to be willing to play reserve grade - he may not be the first choice half.

 

[ToiletDuck]

Just a quick note for people who think players are either 'injured' or 'not injured' - that couldn't be further from reality. If every player currently carrying an injury was rested until 100% fit, the NRL would have about 10% of its player pool taking the field each week.

Majority of players will play with an injury and through pain for large parts of the season. Injuries are managed as best as possible, some have very clearly defined recovery paths, others are literally a day-to-day proposition. Coaches don't go out of their way to "play injured players" - they get a massive amount of info from physios, doctors, rehab staff and the player themselves - and make calls based on that. Sometimes it works fine, and players play well for large parts despite managing an injury - yet we are all none the wiser. When things turn to shit, form drops, other players get injured and the pressure increases, we all look for someone to point the finger at. The coach might be using the same exact injury management strategy he did the year prior, but because of a myriad of other factors, it isn't working.

In some extreme circumstances players play completely busted and it comes off and becomes a thing of legend - see Trent Robinson and Cooper Cronk in the 2018 GF. My point is, majority of injuries are several shades of grey and we never actually hear about most.

Source: Myself, GP and anaesthetist of 15 or so years of working with all manner of people with acute and chronic pain.

 

[Tragic]

I love you boys.

We love you too honey bunny

 

[bringinthebulls]

Why playing in Vegas is on bucket list for Warriors stars

Warriors captain Tohu Harris predicts American fans will be intrigued by the haka and ‘Up the Wahs’ chant when the NRL returns to Allegiant Stadium on March 1.

www.nrl.com

"The group is excited, but I think for guys like myself, Shaun [Johnson] and some of the other experienced guys, it is something special because we understand that these things don’t come around every year,” Harris said.

Take it with a grain of salt but possibly Tohu's let something slip here?

 

[Dantheman]

Why playing in Vegas is on bucket list for Warriors stars

Warriors captain Tohu Harris predicts American fans will be intrigued by the haka and ‘Up the Wahs’ chant when the NRL returns to Allegiant Stadium on March 1.

www.nrl.com

"The group is excited, but I think for guys like myself, Shaun [Johnson] and some of the other experienced guys, it is something special because we understand that these things don’t come around every year,” Harris said.

Take it with a grain of salt but possibly Tohu's let something slip here?

A good old Freudian slip

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Why playing in Vegas is on bucket list for Warriors stars

Warriors captain Tohu Harris predicts American fans will be intrigued by the haka and ‘Up the Wahs’ chant when the NRL returns to Allegiant Stadium on March 1.

www.nrl.com

"The group is excited, but I think for guys like myself, Shaun [Johnson] and some of the other experienced guys, it is something special because we understand that these things don’t come around every year,” Harris said.

Take it with a grain of salt but possibly Tohu's let something slip here?

I dont get it.... Every team doesnt play in Vegas every year??

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I dont get it.... Every team doesnt play in Vegas every year??

That he mentions Shaun when talking about going to Vegas

Could be that he knows Shaun is playing on.. could be bugger all

 

[Dlenai]

yeah next year is SJ & Tohu's final year