Met Sam at Vodafone Lambton Quay in 2012 or 13. What I remember clearly was all the top players signing autos and that was it, no eye contact or interest. I didn't know who Sam was at the time, but I think he saw how dissapointed I was meeting my hero's (Mannering etc). Had a chat and a laugh. Was such a nice guy and I will never forget that. So happy he's had such a successful union career. All the best bro.
Highlighted posts
You need to watch DCE manage a game. There is a massive difference in a good long kicking game vs what TMM is able to put out. If our kick chase is so shit that's our problem. Seriously, watch DCE get Manly out of trouble over and over and over. Every prem team for the last ?? years (a lot) has had a strong long kicking game. But seriously, DCE is the master of this. We aren't making the top 4 without it. SJ handled it for us in 2023 but just wasn't able to in 2024.
Give us a goddam zombie that can kick a ball well to put next to TMM and i'll take it at this point. If they can kick goals too that is.
SJ Final Game jersey with one of his daughters drawings on the back instead of a silhouette of NZ
There is something weird about getting emotional because a guy, who doesn’t know you, is deciding to leave his job isn’t it?? But goddamn it I can’t fucking help it when I see shit like this haha
There is something weird about getting emotional because a guy, who doesn’t know you, is deciding to leave his job isn’t it?? But goddamn it I can’t fucking help it when I see shit like this haha
I've learnt a few things about life and myself in the last 10-15 years that have been of benefit.
Here are some of them.
Experiences from childhood and the thoughts and mantras evolved at that time stay with you. This can be both good and not so good. For me, childhood was solely about survival. Stay ahead of the situation, plan, avoid situations, avoid talking, physical presence and that kind of stuff. I always defaulted to the worst case scenario and that was being killed. Work back from there each time.
I didn't form any emotional bonds with anyone, so my emotional development was virtually non existant. So too was physical touch.
My experience of hugging and physical contact was with dogs, not humans. So I only associated physical touch with sex, once I reached pubity and there after.
I married young, it lasted for 28years until one day I simply walked out. I had not had any feelings for my wife for the previous 20 years but I had three kids to raise and I was the sole income earned all that time. I had a plan for financial independence and to retire early and I pursued this all that time with some success but at a huge personal cost which I now understand.
So my life from 20-50 was much like a business contract. I built a life within my marriage. I didn't stray, didn't argue much, I just ignored anything I chose to, built impregnable walls. I thought I was doing well.
As Frank W has mentioned, sport and regular physical training is very important. I lifted weights for 30 years and played lots of tennis and I'm certain that without this outlet, my defences would not have lasted as long as they did.
I also binge drank a few times a year, until collapsing usually. This started at 14 or 15 years of age. I've learnt this was a form of escape.
I've learnt life is made up of various stages. In my mid 40's I started to reflect on a few things, particularly my view of my mother who abandoned me at the age of four and was killed shortly after, didn't know my father. Anyway, I had no feelings for her, I didn't know her and that was fine until I started wondering what a life she must have had and perhaps she did her best. This caused me some upset over for a few years and was the initial crack in my defence.
I guess what I'm saying is you can only get so far on faulty foundations in life and it has taken me far to long to realise that. Eventually, the house of cards will come crashing down.
I regret not backing myself more, taking a few more risks in business. I regret staying in a stagnant marriage because I placed false value on matrimonial assets, kids and routine.
I regret not understanding what true love is and happiness and denying myself of it.
I've told plenty of people to fuck off and can't remember one I regret.
Here are some of them.
Experiences from childhood and the thoughts and mantras evolved at that time stay with you. This can be both good and not so good. For me, childhood was solely about survival. Stay ahead of the situation, plan, avoid situations, avoid talking, physical presence and that kind of stuff. I always defaulted to the worst case scenario and that was being killed. Work back from there each time.
I didn't form any emotional bonds with anyone, so my emotional development was virtually non existant. So too was physical touch.
My experience of hugging and physical contact was with dogs, not humans. So I only associated physical touch with sex, once I reached pubity and there after.
I married young, it lasted for 28years until one day I simply walked out. I had not had any feelings for my wife for the previous 20 years but I had three kids to raise and I was the sole income earned all that time. I had a plan for financial independence and to retire early and I pursued this all that time with some success but at a huge personal cost which I now understand.
So my life from 20-50 was much like a business contract. I built a life within my marriage. I didn't stray, didn't argue much, I just ignored anything I chose to, built impregnable walls. I thought I was doing well.
As Frank W has mentioned, sport and regular physical training is very important. I lifted weights for 30 years and played lots of tennis and I'm certain that without this outlet, my defences would not have lasted as long as they did.
I also binge drank a few times a year, until collapsing usually. This started at 14 or 15 years of age. I've learnt this was a form of escape.
I've learnt life is made up of various stages. In my mid 40's I started to reflect on a few things, particularly my view of my mother who abandoned me at the age of four and was killed shortly after, didn't know my father. Anyway, I had no feelings for her, I didn't know her and that was fine until I started wondering what a life she must have had and perhaps she did her best. This caused me some upset over for a few years and was the initial crack in my defence.
I guess what I'm saying is you can only get so far on faulty foundations in life and it has taken me far to long to realise that. Eventually, the house of cards will come crashing down.
I regret not backing myself more, taking a few more risks in business. I regret staying in a stagnant marriage because I placed false value on matrimonial assets, kids and routine.
I regret not understanding what true love is and happiness and denying myself of it.
I've told plenty of people to fuck off and can't remember one I regret.
Because they’re not replacing jazz with Clarke, they’re going to play different roles. Jazz was an out and out middle, he was the one blocking development of our young fellas. Clarke is a lock, that can cover hooker. This means he can play 14, and we don’t need to carry lussick who either comes on if Egan is injured or keeps the bench warm, resulting in a better use of our bench rotations.
It’s also likely an insurance policy if Walker decides to leave, as well as post tohu retirement planning.
All this chat about why we replace jazz for Clarke simply isn’t correct, it’s not just you. Jazz is being replaced by Sifakula, tanner stowers-smith, zyon etc.
Really think the club should be doing this. Has a cohesion with so many of the remaining nsw cup players this year that are rising. Has had time for his shoulder to heal and not being a leg injury he’s still got speed, actually got some gas in some of these clips. Was looking so promising before he went and is a good kicker too. We really need to consider our goal kicking after some close losses
It would be great if he has had the break he so desperately needed and is now back in love with the game. It has been quite the week for the 'heart and souls' of Warriors folklore. Mannering is second to none for that - I'd love for him to instill it in others via coaching. I'd like to think him and Webby would work well together.
A true one-club man.
You are too cruel.
Bunty has played more games than Jazz.
Not appreciated by many on this forum.
But I m a fan and will watch how he goes at Parra.
I like that our pack is becoming more abrasive. When teams see Barnett, Sifakula, Clark, JFH and Niukore facing them, they know they are going to be sore the next day. We haven't been intimidating for years. It used to be our DNA. It disappeared with the shoulder charge.
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Only a true legend could take the SJ moniker off Stacey, and Shaun was him. Godspeed, Prince of Penrose.
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Titans fans must be more ruthless than ours. After 10 Rounds he had 1 Ruck Infringement (in Rd 1), zero Inside the 10 & ZERO penalties.
Funny how perceptions & reality don't always align
Clarke is a younger, better version of jazz imo. Runs for more metres, makes less errors/missed tackles and actually grew up as a hooker so can cover hooker/lock very well. His ball playing is better than jazz too, I’ve been a fan of Clarke for a while. He would’ve got the ‘come home’ paycheck too. A great signing imo & a very good 14, impact forward.
I am sorry you feel that way about a guy who has given his all for the club. I think he is the best bench player we have had. He does not deserve your criticism at this time.
Addin as well. Can't forget one of the best props we've ever had. Regardless of the circumstances, We have a lot to play for.
Hope @Warriorsfan92 doesmnt mind but I think we need a thread devoted to quality posts and positive vibes.
This post is one of many I want to track going forward.
Indeed the future is bright and we shouldn’t lose sight of that no matter how bad things may seem now. This message also radiates with me in life. Tough times now but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Keep the faith.
This post is one of many I want to track going forward.
Indeed the future is bright and we shouldn’t lose sight of that no matter how bad things may seem now. This message also radiates with me in life. Tough times now but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Keep the faith.
He's shown what he can do he won the Daly M with a average nrl team.
So the coach is not the issue, that's the problem that's plagued this team for year's how many different coaches do you want here?
Ivan had his bad seasons and fans were calling for his head,
Don't you think it's better to build this team from the ground up? The pathways are being built the youngsters aren't being thrown to the wolves in 1st grade only to develop second year syndrome, all we need is a bit more recruitment and strength and conditioning/defense and we will be fine.
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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.
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.
Fantastic post and absolutely bang on. As disappointed as I am with this season especially after last years season I am still well and truly on board knowing the foundations are in place and it is now a matter of time.