Shaun Johnson’s final game at Mt Smart Stadium (sorry, make that Shaun Johnson Stadium) wasn’t about whether they’d beat the Bulldogs or how well the team played, it was about farewelling a Warriors legend.
The Warriors lost 34-18 for their fourth defeat in a row, but regardless of that, Friday night will still go down as one of the most memorable games in the history of this NRL club.
Johnson still has next weekend’s away fixture against the Sharks to get through before he can finally hang up the boots, but this was his goodbye.
Many things haven’t gone right for the Warriors this season, but the way the club handled this was close to perfection.
The three departing players,
Addin Fonua-Blake,
Jazz Tevaga and Johnson, were all given special welcomes onto the field, with the final walk through the tunnel of players saved for Johnson, who came onto the field with his wife, Kayla Johnson, and their two children. It didn’t take long before tears were running down Johnson’s face.
But it was an inauspicious beginning to the game for him, dropping the ball when taking a pass after just 24 seconds.
Seven minutes into the game, as he was wearing the No 7 jersey, the call went out to the crowd to give Johnson a standing ovation and almost all the 24,295 spectators obliged.
That was followed by the Warriors getting out to a 12-0 lead, then taking an 18-16 advantage into the break, but getting outplayed in the second half.
After the game, there was a ceremony on the field for Johnson, which all the Bulldogs players stayed to watch, despite the rain. He then spent over an hour going around the field signing autographs and having selfies with fans.
The players all had a private moment together in their changing shed once Johnson made it back, with former team-mates like
Charlie Gubb,
Glen Fisiiahi and
Albert Vete joining them to celebrate the occasion.
Then it was into the Warriors gym, where friends and family were waiting. So yes, a big night for the 33-year-old.
“Emotional, obviously the start, the walkout, it just hit me,” Johnson said.
“I didn’t know what was going on and you could tell because I dropped the ball in the first set.
“But it was just a really special night, with all the family and having all the people that have played such a massive role in my career here.
“I’ve been looked after by the club. That’s meant the world to me.”
Johnson says he has no regrets about turning down an offer from the Warriors to play on in 2025.
“I am so sore right now. I am like I can’t remember being this busted,” he said.
“It’s been a tough year physically and people can say what they want about the decision, but ultimately I’m so content with it.
“I would have loved to win tonight and that’s probably the only disappointment that I feel, it sucks not winning, but it is what it is. I’ve still got so much to smile about, that’s certainly what I’ll focus on.”
Immediately after the game, Johnson wanted to savour the moment, make sure he took in everything, but also meet as many of the fans as he could.
“They stayed out there in the rain for hours after the game. The least I can do is go acknowledge them,” he said.
“I actually don’t know what to say about it, a crazy position to be in when you get people so passionate about you in that manner and I wish I could have got to everyone around the whole stadium, but obviously that’s not doable.
“So I can’t thank the people that stayed around and showed up enough.”
There had been speculation recently that Johnson could have one last hurrah before hanging up the boots and play for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships.
Under
Stacey Jones, the Kiwis will play Australia at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on October 27, then take on Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on November 2.
Depending on how those results go, they’d play in the final in Sydney on November 10. But Johnson has all but ruled himself out of being involved.
“If I genuinely thought I was the best option for the Kiwis, then I’d put my hand up,” he said.
“But we are in a great place with the halves that we’ve got and we’ve got a coach who’s got the reins and gets the mould side how he likes.
“So I’m not going to stand in the way of that. My time in the Kiwis is some of the best of my career.
“Some of the best moments and memories were created wearing that black jersey so I’m not going to go grovelling back there just to hold onto something that I think has passed me and I’ll happily watch them and support them and celebrate their success.”
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Cheers for the quotes and post