NRL 2018
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@virgil All they had to do was be a bit magnanimous at the press conference for the announcement and they come out looking a million times better than what they do now.
Disagree
They are a club that wants to win a premiership. They realised the million per year they pay SJ is likely better spent elsewhere to achieve that.
They probably also don’t know what his true worth is, hence the shop around abs see what other clubs are willing to pay you.
The only one that had a moan and went public was SJI don't see how any of that means they can't be a bit magnanimous at the press conference? Some of the die hard fans are doing their nut about how the press conference was handled (while the media seem to be firmly in the Warriors camp).
what do you want them to say? I would have thought that was the exactly right thing to say?
SJ had a contract. The club wanted to move in another direction at the end of the contract. SJ didn't want to see out his contract if he wasn't getting another one, so the Club said "okay, you don't want to play? off you go"
They then came out and said exactly that and they get pilloried for it? In an age when we all whinge about double-speak and half-truths in press conferences? (Nepia your attitude towards the Akira situation and this is interesting).
Pretty much everyone has been open about this, and it's for the best all around. No one is in a position to sook.
I am not sure what they could have done differently? To me this actually makes them look like a professional sporting organisation. Letting your marquee guy go a year early because you think you need to move on is a bold, but professional move.
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@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?
I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.
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@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?
I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.
which quotes do you take exception to?
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Good decision and well handled by the Warriors. SJ is not worth a million pesos. He has a tanty because they don't want to keep paying him more than he's worth? "Don't want to play for us? Don't let the door hit you on the way out".
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Apparently he could be at the sharks on a 4 year deal
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@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:
Apparently he could be at the sharks on a 4 year deal
I hate that club, everything it stands for, their fuckwit head coach, their germ of a captain, and the collection of grubs and low breeds they have assembled for a roster. I shall booo SJ heartily if he fucks off to the shire.
Given the way they play, Flanagan is going to loooove the way SJ doesn't take the line on, and his inaccurate kicking game.
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Some fans are overreacting. SJ is not the Warriors best player and has proven to be a player who is good for the highlight reel but too inconsistent. It's telling that Kearney, his former Kiwis coach, is obviously not that bothered to keep him given the current situation.
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What should have been said:
"Shaun has been a great servant of Warriors rugby league. Both as a player and role model. We appreciate his need to try new things and he appreciates our needing to try new things. Thank you Shaun and best of luck to you in your future endeavours."
Johnson never got arrested for beating his mrs, drunk driving or public intoxication. Never did anything remotely controversial off the pitch. Fronted school workshops, ran the line at age grade footy and generally got people to games through his obvious marketability and play. That should be applauded and that's not what he got.
I agree with M4L. The warriors need a consistent play maker that does not go into his shell for 50-75% of the season. So while I am disappointed he is not the guy to take us to the ship the best thing for us is for him to leave.
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@raznomore said in NRL 2018:
Johnson never got arrested for beating his mrs, drunk driving or public intoxication. Never did anything remotely controversial off the pitch. Fronted school workshops, ran the line at age grade footy and generally got people to games through his obvious marketability and play. That should be applauded and that not what he got.
Only in football and particularly league does that have to be applauded.
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@raznomore I reckon sevens would be more his go..!,much more space..personally I think he would get shut down big time in the Xvs version..a bit like benchie Marshall and that worked well..Not..!
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@steven-harris He would go well in 7's but there not enough money there for him. I think the comparison between him and Marshall is off personally. Johnson still has a shit ton of speed and is still in his prime. Benji was well off the pace when he went to the Blues.
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Not phased he has gone. Once the writing was on the wall then was always going to be a pain for all involved. Great servant, went missing at times but 100% loved the warriors and think he always gave it his all.
What I'm annoyed about is we are left without a quality half. Who are the reasonable people we could pick up?
- Either Eels half
- Adam Reynolds
Next off the list in order:
- Marty Banks
- JT out of retirement
- Lima Soaps (would think he would be pretty good TBH)
- Lockyer/Joey Johns
- Freddy (although I think his off-field antics would get him kicked out.
- Ben Barba/Todd Carney
- Ihaia West/Tiaan Falcon.
- Me
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12167809
Shaun Johnson had a million reasons to stay with the Warriors for one more year.
The highest paid player in the club's history also had a decent chance to help the side build on this year's top eight appearance and make a tilt at a long-awaited premiership.
But even a seven-figure paycheck and the lure of a historic title win wasn't enough for the 28-year-old halfback to stick around at Mt Smart Stadium and prove he deserved another contract extension.
Johnson is used to having things his way. It's how it's been since the former Golden Boot winner bolted into first grade with the best sidestep since Brad Fittler.And even in the biggest divorce in the Warriors' 25-year history, Johnson got his way.
The Warriors confirmed the inevitable on Wednesday in granting Johnson's demand for an immediate release from the final year of his lucrative contract.
Meeting request rejectedThe search now begins for a replacement No 7 for 2019 and beyond.
The Warriors have few options on hand currently and CEO Cameron George and coach Stephen Kearney are under the blowtorch from upset fans for allowing this situation to unfold.Neither anticipated things would unravel as they have. Both expected Johnson would be on deck next season, but events over the last three days are said to have left them with no choice but to cut the club's top point scorer loose.
Johnson has attracted plenty of sympathy but must share some responsibility for his role in the soap opera.Firstly, Johnson claimed he was unaware the club would not be rushing to offer him a contract extension.
Apparently, it was news to him last month, while on the Kiwis' end of year tour of England, he read the Herald's report that he was free to explore his options and test his market value.
Outraged fans are offended by the suggestion the club didn't alert Johnson to their plans but there are strict rules in place around how clubs can discuss contractual matters with players.These discussions must be conducted through a player's agent or with all three parties together.
However, the Warriors had, in fact, informed his manager of this very detail, in September - at least two weeks prior to New Zealand's test win over Australia in Auckland.
Upon arriving back in Auckland, Johnson told media he was still waiting to hear from anyone at the Warriors regarding the situation.
Except Kearney, who was in the US on a fact-finding mission, surveying facilities at NBA franchises together with members of the Warriors leadership group, took time to call an upset Johnson in the UK.
It's understood he assured Johnson nothing had changed.
He was still a part of plans for next year.
All he needed to do was worry about performing well and a new contract would take care of itself.
Following the Kiwis' return home, a disgruntled Johnson and his agent rebuffed a request from the club to have a meeting and work through their differences.The Warriors' views on Johnson then dimmed further after the club's international players were called in to undergo medicals before going on their end of season holidays.
The Herald understands it was put to the club's leadership group that it would be beneficial for the test players to join the rest of the squad at pre-season training for one week in late December, so that the entire NRL group could work together before breaking up for the Christmas holidays.It was proposed the test players would then be given a week's leave later in January or February.
New front-row signing Leeson Ah Mau is believed to have leaped at the opportunity to settle in quickly and get to know his new teammates.One other Kiwi player was open to the idea but is unable to due to a pre-booked overseas family holiday.
When Johnson, still wounded by the club's stance, was asked if he was open to taking part, he allegedly refused, citing the Rugby League Player's Association agreement that meant players are entitled to six weeks off annually.
Tensions continued to simmer over the last fortnight but the Warriors are believed to have remained open to reaching some middle ground and waited for him to agree to a sit-down.
But the gulf widened on Monday, when Johnson, who has previously complained about the negatives of social media, used Facebook to go public with an emotional post in which he informed followers that "they have told me again at this stage they won't be offering me anything".
The Warriors have refuted that claim before Johnson contacted the club to arrange a meeting with his manager Peter Brown, together with George, Kearney, and recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan, for Tuesday morning.
It is understood that the group had barely sat down before Johnson informed the club he wanted out ASAP.
Changing of the guardHis departure is now confirmed but the Warriors stopped being Johnson's team long ago.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's arrival at the club in 2016 signaled the changing of the guard in terms of who the club's real marquee player is.
The inspirational Warriors captain and Dally M medal-winning fullback not only brings attacking brilliance and defensive steel, but also consistency and a hard-nosed approach to performing each week in games and on the training paddock.
Every single day.
The same cannot be said of Johnson.
Club sources have revealed that though the two players may be on similar wages the discrepancy in attitude and commitment between the pair is "like night and day".
Tuivasa-Sheck is always mindful of his responsibilities of leading the way and setting standards for younger less experienced players, constantly doing extras and striving for perfection, the Herald was told.
Johnson, however, does not have the same reputation.
Within the Warriors, there have been long-held frustrations over his work ethic and attitude towards training.Unlike Tuivasa-Sheck, or retired club legend Simon Mannering, Johnson is not the first to training and the last to leave. Constantly working on the one-percenters - kicking and sharp-shooting for goal, for example - is not his go.
His fragile confidence and inability to accept or brush aside criticism – whether it be constructive, harsh, or unjustified - from the five coaches that have mentored him throughout his career, fans, or the media, is well known.
His petulant "youse got your way" outburst following the Kiwis' World Cup semifinal loss to Fiji last year epitomised his defensive mindset.
That delicate temperament resurfaced again recently - even after he was awarded the man of match award following the Kiwis' shock win over the Kangaroos - when he remarked: "It's just nice to be standing here talking to you guys after a positive win. Obviously, a lot of the time I'm at the front when things aren't going well."
But forget about the good times, leadership and accepting responsibility for his short-comings as a player or poor performances have never been strengths of his.
Concerns over whether Johnson is the right player to lead the Warriors to grand final glory – or even regular playoff appearances – are justified.
Having helped the club this season to just their second finals appearance since 2011, Johnson then went missing in action in the qualifying-final loss to Penrith in Sydney.
It continued a familiar trend that goes against the grain of what's expected of a big money playmaker.
The Warriors now have plenty of cash to spend on new talent and may opt to search for a short-term cut-price option in the halves or throw an opportunity to one of the club's youngsters, while looking to bolster their forward pack.
It may not bring them a title next year, or any time soon, but that never seemed imminent with Johnson wearing the No 7 jersey either.
Breaking up is never easy, but in this case, it could be the best thing for all involved. -
With diva-like flair Princess is gone out the doors of Mt Smart and off to join Cronulla or St George on a one-year deal before joining the Roosters in 2020.
The Warriors have made the right call even if it means setting themselves back in 2019. As I stated in my preview for the 2018 season, Shaun Johnson was a secondary playmaker masquerading as a primary playmaker. This was reinforced during the recent Kiwis tour of England where (future Warriors) halfback Kodi Nikorima took over the halfback role. Johnson just wasn't worth that much of the salary cap - especially with the club so close to the cap limit.
The mistake the club made was letting Mason Lino leave for Newcastle. He's a decent backup whose style of game fits the system the club is trying to execute. Plus he's a goalkicker.
So who could join Blake Green in the halves in the 2019? Here's a few options:
Mason Lino: He wants to be a starter and a starting position just opened up at the Warriors. He's not going to get that opportunity at Newcastle where the coach has said he'll be using Ponga and Pearce in the halves. If the Warriors can't find a replacement before Christmas don't be stunned if Mason declares he's "homesick" and rejoins the Warriors. I doubt the Knights would stand in his way.
Chanel Harris-Tavita: You'll hear this 19 year-old's name a lot, simply because of one play he did in the Junior Kiwis' game against the Junior Roos.
My personal take is that Chanel is still too raw to start in the NRL but the Warriors might be forced to.
Karl Lawton: Another talented prospect, this time from Oz, Karl Lawton got some gametime at hooker last season and did well, scoring two tries on debut. Hooker looks to be his position but he did spend a lot of time at standoff in the NSW Cup last season.
Peta Hiku: Have too many centres you say? Just make one of them a halfback. This would probably only happen in an emergency situation, like it did during games last season, but Kearney does trust Hiku to be his Mr Fix-it.
Kodi Nikorima: It's no secret that Kodi Nikorima has been the guy the Warriors have been thinking about for 2020 going forward. They now have the cap space to beat out any other offers and Nikorima has ties to Kearney from his time with the Kiwis and Broncos. Getting Nikorima for 2019 might not be that tough as the Brisbane club wants to resign Tevita Pangai Jr. and Bennett just might be willing to help out a former protege in his final year....
Somebody else: Te Maire Martin, Corey Norman and Mitch Moses are some names being thrown around. All have positives, and a few negatives, but really it's whoever can fit the new structured system at the Warriors.
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Fuck if that herald (spit) article has any truth to it... wow. Would love for someone to ask him to comment on that. As if it'd happen lol
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@paekakboyz said in NRL 2018:
Fuck if that herald (spit) article has any truth to it... wow. Would love for someone to ask him to comment on that. As if it'd happen lol
David Skipworth is usually on the mark with his articles so I would suggest it is probably closer to the the truth than not.
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