NRL: Sit back, relax and watch the greatest NRL comeback of all time. A rejuvenated Shaun Johnson put his best foot forward in 2023, surging the New Zealand Warriors to the finals.
After last season being stuck in Australia and finally being home with his young family some quiet time with the family would be something he is looking forward to.
Last season he had his first full off-season for a long time and we saw the benefits of it. Having international commitments and then coming back for a shortened pre-season may not have worked as well.
it's a credit to his form that he was in contention. Sure a lack of depth in the halves as well but last year he would have been down the list.
Shaun's retirement is a big risk to our continued competitiveness. If you look at the top 4 they probably have the top 4 halfbacks in the game. Without a top 4 halfback you're probably going to be an also ran.
After last season being stuck in Australia and finally being home with his young family some quiet time with the family would be something he is looking forward to.
Last season he had his first full off-season for a long time and we saw the benefits of it. Having international commitments and then coming back for a shortened pre-season may not have worked as well.
it's a credit to his form that he was in contention. Sure a lack of depth in the halves as well but last year he would have been down the list.
It breaks me wee heart because I find it really hard to imagine him playing for the Kiwis ever again now.
If next year is his last, I want his final game to be in Blue, not Black, and lets be honest, I think he would feel the same way.
If he goes around again, he will then be 34 and going into year 15 (and hopefully off the back of playing October footy ) there is just no way.
Can't help but feel that at least a small part of the decision is a little bit of saltiness towards Madge for not sticking by him for the mid-year test or World Cup last year, he had that interview on Matty Johns' show and it did seem awkward.
That said, I will take SJ's health over SJ getting his 2019 Benji Moment, every day of the week.
Well this years outcome will drop the standing of the Dally M and promote the RLPA’s awards as a higher priority now.
It’s clear with the way the Dally M’s system disadvantages strong teams with multiple points getters and the bias inherent in judging that the RLPA awards should be promoted more.
Symbolic in this case of a united team, given that Johnson has always marched to the beat of a different drum and he had serious competition in Addin Fonua Blake for team mate votes.
He deserved it bottom line, but it is a good sign for the Warriors that the players backed the tallest poppy.
We really wasted SJs golden years, he was every bit as dynamic as Walsh but also a 7. Imagine if we had a team, coach and culture like this and a young SJ was just coming into the team. Really shocking in retrospect how poorly we did after 2011. Someone like SJ coming through is exactly what will be required for us to get over the top, but how long until the next one?
Well this years outcome will drop the standing of the Dally M and promote the RLPA’s awards as a higher priority now.
It’s clear with the way the Dally M’s system disadvantages strong teams with multiple points getters and the bias inherent in judging that the RLPA awards should be promoted more.
We really wasted SJs golden years, he was every bit as dynamic as Walsh but also a 7. Imagine if we had a team, coach and culture like this and a young SJ was just coming into the team. Really shocking in retrospect how poorly we did after 2011. Someone like SJ coming through is exactly what will be required for us to get over the top, but how long until the next one?
The inevitable book that comes out when he hangs up the boots......if he keeps it worts and all, should be the most Warrior defining and interesting read of our history i reckon.......
The inevitable book that comes out when he hangs up the boots......if he keeps it worts and all, should be the most Warrior defining and interesting read of our history i reckon.......
The inevitable book that comes out when he hangs up the boots......if he keeps it worts and all, should be the most Warrior defining and interesting read of our history i reckon.......