Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson admits he’s not the finished product
PAUL CRAWLEY
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
DECEMBER 20, 2014 12:00PM
For too long Shaun Johnson has been the NRL’s best kept secret.
But after taking out the prestigious Golden Boot, the Kiwi sensation admits it’s time to show everyone he can match his amazing talent with consistency.
On the back of his phenomenal Four Nations performances when guiding the Kiwis to victory against the under-strength Kangaroos, Johnson put his name alongside some of the game’s greatest champions.
Joining a who’s who list that includes Immortals Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns along with the likes of Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston, Johnson said: “It’s a massive honour. Growing up I always knew about the Golden Boot and obviously looking at the list of players who have won it before me makes it pretty special.”
But despite the accolade, the 24-year-old said he had “a bit to go” before he legitimately earned his place alongside the game’s greats.
Since exploding onto the scene in 2011 when the Warriors made the grand final, Johnson’s consistency has mostly mirrored the performances of his NRL team.
Asked yesterday if his best was still ahead, Johnson said: “I certainly hope so. I have accomplished nothing with the Warriors yet.
“We have missed out on the eight the last three or four years so there is still a lot of work to be done there.”
But despite the accolade, the 24-year-old said he had “a bit to go” before he legitimately earned his place alongside the game’s greats.
Since exploding onto the scene in 2011 when the Warriors made the grand final, Johnson’s consistency has mostly mirrored the performances of his NRL team.
Asked yesterday if his best was still ahead, Johnson said: “I certainly hope so. I have accomplished nothing with the Warriors yet.
“We have missed out on the eight the last three or four years so there is still a lot of work to be done there.”
But Johnson is hoping to change that in 2015.
“I still think I have a long way to go,” he said. “There is still a lot of things I want to accomplish.”
Yet again Golden Boot voting caused controversy given Johnson was nowhere near the top performers in the NRL this year.
Thurston and Jarryd Hayne were the joint winners of the Dally M Medal this year while Burgess was man of the match in the NRL grand final.
But because all three players missed the Four Nations it all but ruled them out of Golden Boot contention.
The six men short-listed for the award included New Zealand’s Johnson and Jesse Bromwich, Australia’s Thurston and Greg Inglis and England’s Burgess and James Graham.
But Golden Boot judges are told to consider performances on the international stage “first and foremost”.
In voting, Johnson claimed 44 points ahead of Burgess 23 while Graham was third on 18 and Inglis fourth with 17 points. Thurston only polled 13 points and Bromwich two.
Overall the Golden Boot team included six Kiwis, four Aussies and three Poms.
