Yep, Shaun Johnson only needs to be quick over about 10m. Just enough to skip on the outside of a defender or into a pocket. From there he has all the skills to put any half decent support runner away - short pass, long pass, kick.
What's changed is I used to want to be Shaun Johnson because of Kayla, now I want to be Kayla because of Shaun Johnson.
He's clearly a family man and may have a sensitive mind as well, if he was in some sort of funk from being away from his wife and young kid he's clearly not going to be playing at his best. I get it's his job to suit up and play and he gets paid handsomely rah rah rah but money isn't happiness. You need to be happy and enjoying the game to preform.
100% correct.
that's usually the % of the beer I'm drinking...
That’s been his career to never live up to the fan’s expectations, though sometimes warranted through his salary he was collecting. Everything I’m seeing, if his body can hold up I think he’s in for a big one. Probably finally taking some leadership on too. What I like is Volkman isn’t going to be given the halfback role and is going to have to work for it, alternatively Shaun Johnson doesn’t have an ownership like in the past of his spot so there’s things to work towards for the pair. Te Maire Martin and Metcalf in the same situation, the competition for spots in the team is what is see differently to the previous few seasons. If Shaun Johnson can stay fit and healthy and shows his worth, I’d definitely be extending his contract by a year or two. Even if Volkman takes over, Shaun Johnson is worthy depth and what he can pass onto the halves is invaluable.
He doesn't have excuses now. He had thought he would have been living with his partner and child amongst other supporters in his network. He didn't have that in Aus and the off-field situation clearly affected on-field.
Key point here is depth. We finally have 2 high quality halves in metcalf and volkman as our back up options, applying pressure on our halves. Not for a few years this has happened. The other thing is they’re both very young, still learning but have been identified as having a huge future, particularly volkman. It’s great to have some accountability, and I have a feeling webster won’t have an issue making changes if things aren’t working. It’ll also be nice to see players rewarded if they’re playing well in the lower grades.
I agree with most of this. He had a decent team. Around him. Hynes didn't inherit a too different team from him and look what happened to the sharks last year.
Played 7 a bit in 2021 I think, was pretty good returning from injury but then got injured again toward the end of the season.
Watching this particular game he seems to be doing a lot of the long kicks and Nikorima, who’s playing halfback is doing some of the short kicking as another option. Remember in 2018 he had a lot of success from his short dropouts too what could be handy again with one winger guaranteed in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
