Shaun Johnson media

[Meth]

SJ seems to be getting some cut-through in the media space. He speaks well and seems to offer good perspective. Has his own midweek show starting. I'm liking what he's doing.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

I love him on the Aus fox coverage, really stands out against some of the more wooden personalities that they have on those panels

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Seeing his show advertised made me realise we have lost Montys show this season

 

[Scott]

Seeing his show advertised made me realise we have lost Montys show this season

I'd suggest he has gone through most of the notables. I probably don't need to hear from Paul Staladi, Scott Coxon & Cliff Beverley.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

I'd suggest he has gone through most of the notables. I probably don't need to hear from Paul Staladi, Scott Coxon & Cliff Beverley.

Did he ever get in touch with John Simon? Would've enjoyed that.

 

[Scott]

Did he ever get in touch with John Simon? Would've enjoyed that.

Pretty sure he did John Simon quite early.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Pretty sure he did John Simon quite early.

Sweet thanks.. will have a look for it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I'd suggest he has gone through most of the notables. I probably don't need to hear from Paul Staladi, Scott Coxon & Cliff Beverley.

I kinda find those guys the most fascinating because you get the whole “where are they now?” factor.

Re Shaun he’s absolutely killing it on Fox and I’m seeing him get a lot of positive commentary from Australians as well. I think he’s going to have a long and lucrative media career and will continue to be the face of NZ league for a while, and that’s a good thing because he’s a great ambassador for the game. He’s smart and polished when he needs to be but he’s not afraid to be himself and his enthusiasm (especially for the Warriors) is infectious.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I give him another month or two before I absolutely loathe him. Not saying that's his fault mind you.

tbh though all jokes aside, I was actually inclined to dislike his earlier forays into media because of his tendency towards self-promotion and self-aggrandisement (couched in a sort of "awww shucks" faux humbleness). A few of us on this forum were saying the same stuff about his media appearances while he was still playing, wasn't there a thread last year criticising him for the way he was trying to control the narrative through his own media channels?

SJ the retired full-time pundit has definitely come out of the gate strongly with his focus on genuine analysis, but I do honestly think that sort of winking-at-the-camera "jeez it's just so great to be here talking about footy" shtick will grate eventually.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I give him another month or two before I absolutely loathe him. Not saying that's his fault mind you.

tbh though all jokes aside, I was actually inclined to dislike his earlier forays into media because of his tendency towards self-promotion and self-aggrandisement (couched in a sort of "awww shucks" faux humbleness). A few of us on this forum were saying the same stuff about his media appearances while he was still playing, wasn't there a thread last year criticising him for the way he was trying to control the narrative through his own media channels?

SJ the retired full-time pundit has definitely come out of the gate strongly with his focus on genuine analysis, but I do honestly think that sort of winking-at-the-camera "jeez it's just so great to be here talking about footy" shtick will grate eventually.

I love SJ on Fox and Sky. His Poddy is cringey though and does grate on me a little.
The upside is he is definitely better than most of what Australia has dished up recently.
I maybe in the minority here but I also like Ennis. Not too many more I like though.

 

[Meth]

I give him another month or two before I absolutely loathe him. Not saying that's his fault mind you.

tbh though all jokes aside, I was actually inclined to dislike his earlier forays into media because of his tendency towards self-promotion and self-aggrandisement (couched in a sort of "awww shucks" faux humbleness). A few of us on this forum were saying the same stuff about his media appearances while he was still playing, wasn't there a thread last year criticising him for the way he was trying to control the narrative through his own media channels?

SJ the retired full-time pundit has definitely come out of the gate strongly with his focus on genuine analysis, but I do honestly think that sort of winking-at-the-camera "jeez it's just so great to be here talking about footy" shtick will grate eventually.

Yeah, I like his genuine analysis. I hope he sticks with that and doesn't get too cute.

 

[Meth]

On that note, who do you actually enjoy in the media? I like James Graham and Matthew Johns. Phil Gould, albeit loaded with agenda, is good. Andrew Johns has his moments.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

On that note, who do you actually enjoy in the media? I like James Graham and Matthew Johns. Phil Gould, albeit loaded with agenda, is good. Andrew Johns has his moments.

I really like Cronk's analysis. He and Matty's weekly is easily my favorite poddy/show.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I really like Cronk's analysis. He and Matty's weekly is easily my favorite poddy/show.

Lol Cronk is probably my least favourite, that’s the one league show I don’t watch as I find Cronk the most boring man alive

 

[Beavers Headgear]

On that note, who do you actually enjoy in the media? I like James Graham and Matthew Johns. Phil Gould, albeit loaded with agenda, is good. Andrew Johns has his moments.

Yeah I like Graham and M Johns. Justin Horo is coming along really well. Voss I used to enjoy listening to his SEN show but he grates me now. Fittler still entertains me

Can’t believe I’m saying it because I loathe the bloke, but Cam Smith goes ok. The dynamic between he, Gould and Gallen on 100% footy is a good listen

journo wise Andrew Webster I don’t mind, and Carryanis as well

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

What I find funny about Cronk is he obviously had the recipe for success as a player, but his insights into the game are pretty banal.

By contrast, SJ had all the ability but seemingly never had the nous of a Cronk, yet comes across as vastly more insightful in his analysis.

I honestly don't know what to make of that, does it mean that in reality rugby league is as simple as Cronk makes it sound and SJ is talking a load of fluff? Is SJ just better at observing while Cronk was better at doing?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

What I find funny about Cronk is he obviously had the recipe for success as a player, but his insights into the game are pretty banal.

By contrast, SJ had all the ability but seemingly never had the nous of a Cronk, yet comes across as vastly more insightful in his analysis.

I honestly don't know what to make of that, does it mean that in reality rugby league is as simple as Cronk makes it sound and SJ is talking a load of fluff? Is SJ just better at observing while Cronk was better at doing?

Yea that could be it. It's certainly part of the reason I warm to Cronk as an analyst more than SJ.

SJ's a smart dude no doubt and he comes across really really well. But what I'll always struggle with (unfairly I know) is his credibility. He obviously knows his stuff but when he talks, I cant help but think of someone who talks a better game than he does. Again, unfair I know, but that's just the sense I personally get.

Whereas Cronk obviously has the runs on the board and I actually think his analysis about half play in particular - and that's the stuff I really tune into - is really interesting.

When he talks about opening up sides, stretching defensive gaps, varying play speed, squaring defenders etc. I really enjoy that. Especially when he and Matty do it as part of breaking down an actual play from the week before.

He wont win any personality contests but his footy brain is something else.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Yea that could be it. It's certainly part of the reason I warm to Cronk as an analyst more than SJ.

SJ's a smart dude no doubt and he comes across really really well. But what I'll always struggle with (unfairly I know) is his credibility. He obviously knows his stuff but when he talks, I cant help but think of someone who talks a better game than he does. Again, unfair I know, but that's just the sense I personally get.

Whereas Cronk obviously has the runs on the board and I actually think his analysis about half play in particular - and that's the stuff I really tune into - is really interesting.

When he talks about opening up sides, stretching defensive gaps, varying play speed, squaring defenders etc. I really enjoy that. Especially when he and Matty do it as part of breaking down an actual play from the week before.

He wont win any personality contests but his footy brain is something else.

Yeah I'm a bit torn on this, because I'm not a believer in "if you can't do it, don't talk about it". Actually, I'm all for unathletic but smart people doing analysis, rather than bonehead ex-players. I guess my philosophy is writers write, analysts analyse, journalists do journalism, and footy players play footy - not necessarily talk about it.

Having said that though, SJ is in a unique category because he had all of the ability in the world, was never fully able to put it all together on the field despite countless chances to do so - and now as soon as he's retired, he's the best in the business at explaining what players should do. It also creates a weird dynamic with Cronk because I feel like (and maybe I'm just projecting) Cronk is almost rolling his eyes - like yeah Shaun, you're a better talker than me but you and I played in the halves against each other for years, why didn't you do all of this then?

I disagree on Cronk as an analyst though, beyond stumbling over his words a lot I just haven't heard him say anything all that interesting. Actually between Cronk, Smith, Slater, Thurston, Lockyer you'd think there would be so much wisdom to impart about the game now they're all in the media, but what is it exactly? I guess maybe it's just not that complicated and I'm looking for something that doesn't exist.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I really like Cronk's analysis. He and Matty's weekly is easily my favorite poddy/show.

Cronk’s analysis is good but he’s a bit of a personality free zone, at least on Fox.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Good discussion, I tend to try not to play the man rather than the ball so if SJ is coming out with strong analysis - and he does - I can overlook the fact that he didn't deliver it on the field. There was obviously an issue with execution because his knowledge of structure and how a game of rugby league unfolds seems top-level

I hated his podcast which I really wanted to like, because it's way too much me me me and too much hype. I hope League Lounge is better, and we get the insight he's showing in Shaun Hub (!) and on Fox, which is sorely missing in the diabolical offering we get on Sky Sport through the muppets on there (incidentally, the worst is Laura in a competitive race to the bottom. She is unwatchable cringe)

Matty Johns is the best media operator, he manages to be firm but fair, will certainly let you know where he stands on a topic but doesn't unnecessarily tip into criticism or unfounded gossip/hearsay. Plus he's piss funny, and seems like a genuine bloke who'd give you the time of day

Gus I love, I can see why you'd get tripped up in the hypocrisy, maneuvering and so on that he does but there is no better depth of knowledge and insight in the game. He's also the best story teller, although Matty goes close.

Other than that, Justin Horo does go good and is starting to assert himself against the increasingly warped and over the top stuff Willie Mason comes out with. I imagine his SEN stuff is good, he gives the women's game a really good go and knows his stuff across the board.

In terms of who I don't like, Cronk is up there - unless I'm having a hard time getting to sleep at night, then I can queue up something of his on Youtube. What made him an incredibly good NRL player makes him a snore as an analyst. Geez he's a human Ambien.