After a lot of thought I’ve landed on the below as my thoughts on
SJ now he is hanging up his boots.
Firstly, a fantastic player. A once in a generation type player, and a player I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and will miss watching for sure. I’m saddened that the end of his career has come but is seemingly the right time judging by this season.
I remember before his debut watching him in the U20s and like many feeling this kid was special. Him and
Kevin Locke lit it up in that grade. I also remember an article in the Sunday News of a Mr A Johns indicating that
SJ was going to be a hell of a player, and wasn’t he right.
Those moments of brilliants in his first year and at other times in his early years especially will be etched into the memories - Turning Cronk inside out, ‘the’ Brisbane try, amongst others…
What he did in the Kiwis jersey as well is often forgotten. We had a period of dominance and some games there where he just destroyed them, them being the best in the game. Put top players around him and see him shine.
Off the field he has been a fantastic role model and that’s something that needs to be applauded. You can’t fault his integrity, which among many NRL players seems bloody hard to do these days. Also his love and desire for the club is second to none and would’ve had a great impact inspiring many other youngsters to play the code.
Yes the club was a basket case for many years of his career resulting in a multitude of coaches, so they do shoulder some of the blame so to speak of
SJ not fully achieving all he likely set out to do.
However, I do feel there were times and games when the team were relying on Shaun to guide them around or step up in moments where he didn’t. Albeit not often, but the true legends of our sport would dig in at those moments. It’s for this reason I still hold Stacey slightly above
SJ, but that’s just my opinion from the couch. It’s been one hell of a career nonetheless so thank you Shaun for all that you have delivered and done for our club.
