Player Shaun Johnson

[afakasi247]

Ivan Cleary said leaving the Warriors it was the thought of not coaching SJ was his biggest regret.

He knew SJ and Nathan Cleary would’ve given us the success he eventually found at the Panthers

 

[Next Year]

May as well get this question out there now:
Where to for SJ The Second? Job working with the halves next year? Obviously too inexperienced for NRL Assistant at this point (or maybe not? Anyone know of an assistant who's been promoted there in their first post-playing season? And did it work?).
I suspect he might do well in commentary - find that middle zone between "the oval thing that man is holding is called a football" treating the viewers like idiots and not explaining the reasoning for certain tactics because they're supposed to be rugby league experts. Yeah, I know, viewers who are former players/coaches know the reasoning for why a team's playing a certain way etc so it'll bore them shitless, but the vast majority of us viewers aren't and so don't.
Oh and most important: Anyone know of an SJ who's coming up at any level/at any club so we can keep the SJ Species alive??

When you think that the club will be fielding at least six teams next year, it's clear that there is a role for him within that as a specialist halves coach. It is ironic that the structure we will have next year is exactly the structure that he would have benefited from in coming through the grades himself; in the early years the Warriors really did not aid or guide his development, but actually handicapped it compared to opportunities he may have had for development in many other clubs. He may yet be the gift that keeps on giving in terms of next gen halves. He will continue to inspire.

 

[MXRecord]

He knew SJ and Nathan Cleary would’ve given us the success he eventually found at the Panthers

I am at peace with this. If the bollocks that pushed Cleary out didn't happen, something else would have gotten in the way.
The way I see it, our management were toxic and that Cleary wouldn't have got the success he had stayed.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I am peace with this. If the bollocks that pushed Cleary out didn't happen, something else would have gotten in the way.
The way I see it, our management were toxic and that Cleary wouldn't have got the success he had stayed.

Has it got much better?

Really not impressed with the man management happening this year. Its like head office is always on the back foot and reactive never proactive.

 

[juju]

Has it got much better?

Really not impressed with the man management happening this year. Its like head office is always on the back foot and reactive never proactive.

I think the way the club is run & the way the team is run is two seperate issues.

The club is having unprecedented success in crowds, match day experience, pathway development, social media, (even recruitment).

That's quite different to issues with coaching, tactics and selections.

 

[afakasi247]

It's really set in now that SJ is hanging up the boots at the end of this season.

I started to really follow this team (obsessively) during the 2010 season, 2011 was my first true year being on board. I remember my bro from Uni telling me about this gun player running around with the u20s/Vulcans that's going to be the next big thing. Y'all remember that 240p quality touch highlight video that was doing the rounds around then?

Mid way thru 2011, Brett Seymour gets injured and this guy makes his debut. His 2nd game vs Tigers @ Mt Smart, he scores his first NRL try off a nice short ball from Mateo; blistering pace left everyone in the dust, little goosey to fool the fullback...I was like Holy shit who's this guy!

Of course we all remember the 70m solo try vs. the Broncos later that season; that'll go down as one of the best individual efforts of all time. Him and Locke carving up the Panthers a few games after. And of course, the dummy that still has Kevin Proctor spinning, dishing it to Lewis Brown to seal our ticket into the 2011 Grand Final.

The arrival of SJ was something I don't know well see again.

The heights of the 2011 season SJ probably never found again until last year (2023); 2012 season was disappointing but that was an organizational issue due to Ivan leaving and Bluey being a dud. Unfortunately that started a negative trend for the club that they're still trying to get out of today. 2013/2014 much the same; wrong coach at the helm, underachieving squad. Highlight probably being the inaugural 2014 nines team - the atmosphere at Eden Park for those 2 days was electric, and SJ definitely delivered. SJ himself had a solid season, winning the Golden Boot too.

2015 felt like the year we were going to finally break through - Cappy was doing a decent job and the team were in the top 4 after a phenomenal win vs. Storm @ Mt Smart (infamously known for the Nathan Friend flip pass). 2 games later, SJ breaks his ankle scoring a try, and that marked how the rest of his career would pan out.

SJ athletically wouldn't be the same after that- his game management skills did grow and he learned to control the game without solely relying on his speed and athleticism. His defence improved significantly over the years, going from a turnstile to a solid defender for a halfback.

The 2018 season was the year we finally made the 8; the 5 game win streak to start the year was awesome. But as we all know, the first game of finals with RTS being injured early, everything fell onto SJ's shoulders and he'd cop the blame for the loss to the Panthers; to the point where Cam George called him out through the media causing the fallout between SJ and the club, and SJ moving to the Sharks. Apparently SJ and Kearney also didn't have the strongest relationship. Still leaves a bad taste in my mouth even tho I was coping at the time (can you believe we were excited by Adam Keighran after we beat the hapless Bulldogs in round 1 2019 lol).

Can't forget his caps for the Kiwis; debut in 2012 scoring a 80m intercept try vs. Kangaroos @ Eden Park, the game winning try and conversion in the 2013 RLWC semi final against England, winning the 2014 Four Nations final vs Australia with a class performance, winning the 2015 ANZAC test vs the Aussies.

His return to the Warriors in 2022 felt right; although he had a disrupted season due to injuries, and again having another coach dip. Didn't end up how we expected (spending the majority of the year still based in Aussie didn't help) - but then we get to 2023.

If anything, I'm so happy we got to atleast have the 2023 season. Andrew Websters refreshing arrival, SJ having his most consistent season, leading our team to a top 4 berth and guaranteeing a home semi final. Just falling short of winning the daily M. The vibes at a all time high. That semi @ Mt Smart vs the Knights will be one of the best games in clubs history. I'm so happy I got to be there that night. We all wish that success steamed into this year, but not everything gets a fairy tale ending. I just hope the boys really play out of their skin these last few games, and send SJ out a winner. That final home game vs Bulldogs in a few weeks going to be emotional.

SJ has spoken highly of Webby, saying hes the best coach hes ever had. I think we can trust SJ on that; having had 8 different coaches at his time @ the Warriors. At least we have that bit of positivity moving forward.

SJ will go down as the best Warrior of all time. A young kid that always dreamed to wear the Warriors jersey in a country obsessed about the All Black dream. He bursted onto the scene as a prodigy, and had lofty expectations placed on his shoulders from the get go. The club really failed to give him the stability needed for his skills to really elevate this team to the success we were destined for; and he copped at lot of the blame for our shortcomings over those years. A player that should've been captain, perhaps wasn't accepted or viewed as one, or perhaps no one believed he could handle the extra responsibility. One of the most gifted athletes in NRL history, ultimately failed by his body that broke down on him.

The hardest part of this is, he's the player I wanted to be part of the first team that won the premiership. And while I'm sure he'll still be part of the organization in some capacity, it won't hit the same. But everything happens for a reason, and every story has to come to an end.

And more importantly, its great its ending on SJ terms and he has been able to navigate this in his own way, with options for life post footy.

SJ, I know you'll never read this, but thank you for everything you put into being a player for our beloved Warriors. As I've mentioned before, I have (as many others) watched you from debut right until retirement. Its an end of a era, and it'll be a sad day when the final whistle blows and your unlace those boots for the last time. You are synonymous with the Warriors and RL here in NZ and for your contributions to the game, and the inspiration you've given to the next generation of Kiwi RL players, thank you and all the best in retirement.

Warrior #168. Over 200 games for the Warriors. Embodied everything being a Warrior should be.

Legend.

 

[juju]

Just read on twitter, in the existence of the club, theres only been 7 season without Stacey or SJ in the team.

 

[Five&Last]

He still the biggest what if for this club imo, even over Sonny Fai and Ivan Cleary etc

Had he had better injury luck, better coaching/leadership around him in his early years and a competent game managing half for him to learn from, we could be talking about a guy nearing the goat discussion. Never quite hit his ceiling

 

[Spence]

I remember the first time seeing him play, at a curtain raiser before a preseason game at Hamilton in like 2008/2009 - at one point he stepped half a dozen people then throw a bullet cutout to the winger for a try. I was pretty shaken, I remember doing a double take in disbelief and looked at my mate next to me who was looking equally incredulous.

I have so many special SJ memories, but the one that has been coming to mind recently is the double drop goal comeback victory against the Raiders. Also another I don’t often see mentioned was his second NRL try against the Cowboys, where he got the ball two off the scrum deep in our own half and then burnt the whole backline.

I felt so stink when he went to the Sharks - it felt worse than some breakups I had, like I found it emotionally difficult to watch Sharks games during those seasons.

Special player and special person. I’ll miss him a lot. I always feel so bad for Mannering that he never won a premiership, but SJ will probably sting even more. Go well mate.

 

[juju]

I remember the first time seeing him play, at a curtain raiser before a preseason game at Hamilton in like 2008/2009 - at one point he stepped half a dozen people then throw a bullet cutout to the winger for a try. I was pretty shaken, I remember doing a double take in disbelief and looked at my mate next to me who was looking equally incredulous.

I have so many special SJ memories, but the one that has been coming to mind recently is the double drop goal comeback victory against the Raiders. Also another I don’t often see mentioned was his second NRL try against the Cowboys, where he got the ball two off the scrum deep in our own half and then burnt the whole backline.

I felt so stink when he went to the Sharks - it felt worse than some breakups I had, like I found it emotionally difficult to watch Sharks games during those seasons.

Special player and special person. I’ll miss him a lot. I always feel so bad for Mannering that he never won a premiership, but SJ will probably sting even more. Go well mate.

There are so many SJ moments.

VS Sharks last minute try.
VS Panthers at Mt Smart Golden Point try

Golden-point try to Johnson wins it for Warriors

Shaun Johnson shapes for the field goal but ends up with the match winning try for the Warriors

www.nrl.com

I agree - it was really weird seeing him in the Sharks kit, I remember seeing the Sharks kit for the first time and thinking "Ewwww"

 

[MXRecord]

Has it got much better?

Really not impressed with the man management happening this year. Its like head office is always on the back foot and reactive never proactive.

I do think its better but still no where good enough.

 

[Akkerz]

Really enjoyed the interview with Shaun, He has given this a lot of thought & at the end of the day it's his decision.
Thrilled that we were the ones to see his highlights & pleased that there are options with the club moving forward. He deserves it.

 

[tajhay]

Need SJ and Kayla to start working on SJ Jnr to oneday represent this club and finally get that premiership that he always wanted for the club.

 

[Spence]

Need SJ and Kayla to start working on SJ Jnr to oneday represent this club and finally get that premiership that he always wanted for the club.

His second daughter is an SJ (Sachi Johnson) - so could be our NRLW SJ.

 

[Beastmode]

SJ and Benji are generational talents with their step and speed. The closest we have in the sport right now is Walsh and he is a poor second. Even outside of league ie Rugby I haven’t seen a player with the step, speed and vision you see from Benji and SJ. It’s going to be a sad day for everyone not just Warrior fans but the whole league community when he hangs up the boots. I hope everyone turns out to wish him a fond farewell when he next plays in Brisbane or Sydney. He is deserving of it all.

 

[VB89]

I remember the hype and people BEGGING for SJ to be put in First Grade leading up to his eventual debut. That debut season was unreal.

I thought SJ never lived up to his real potential but not by his own fault. Along with just a shite period of Warriors history between 2012-2018 (well, right up until 2023 really) - management tried to turn him into this playmaking half that he never really was. Then of course injuries robbing him of his athletic ability slowly. Still, during this time, he was one of those x-factor players that when you needed something to happen you had to get the ball to him.

2023 was a true redemption for Shaun and im glad he was able to have such a year before retiring. He finally became that playmaking half that they were trying to unlock in his earlier years and was completely robbed of the Dally M medal.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Well. Now that that's that.

Pull finger and relax and kill it for the rest of the season

 

[Playdaball]

Ironic that Cameron George is now talking up SJ ...

 

[The Warrior Waka]

My personal favourite Warrior of all time. Got in my feels when he left the club. Got even more in my feels when he announced his retirement. Had to take a day to soak it all in before leaving a comment. Few more games to bless us with then enjoy your retirement SJ.

 

[Defence]

Respect