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SJ.

JJ

Immortal
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If the team keeps improving, I'd think it's high as the lure of a possible premiership will be there - but he's got a young family etc, might be other priorities, and obviously he knows best how his body feels and whether he's got another season in him
 

SpaceMonkey

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40,355
If the team keeps improving, I'd think it's high as the lure of a possible premiership will be there - but he's got a young family etc, might be other priorities, and obviously he knows best how his body feels and whether he's got another season in him
I think Adam Reynolds and DCE are the obvious comparisons. Manly are smart and have held onto DCE for as long as he wants to be there and he’s repaying them with form, Souths made a huge blunder punting Reynolds when he was around SJs age now. As long as the body holds up and he’s enjoying his footy, he should have a place at the Warriors. Imagine the scenes if he plays his 300th at home?!
 
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I think Adam Reynolds and DCE are the obvious comparisons. Manly are smart and have held onto DCE for as long as he wants to be there and he’s repaying them with form, Souths made a huge blunder punting Reynolds when he was around SJs age now. As long as the body holds up and he’s enjoying his footy, he should have a place at the Warriors. Imagine the scenes if he plays his 300th at home?!
Yea man that would be pretty special.

If he avoids any major injuries I reckon he could play another couple years quite comfortably.
 
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so back to the topic of SJ… what do you reckon the chance is he’ll go around again next season? I’d imagine the ball is in his court and the club would resign him for another year if he wanted to keep going.
SJ said in an interview that if they win it this year, he would sail off happy. However, if they didn't, he would be open to go for one more year.
 

Manu Vatuvei

Coach
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17,218
Souths made a huge blunder punting Reynolds when he was around SJs age now.

Worse (from Souths POV), SJ and Reynolds are the same age, so Reynolds was 3 years younger than SJ is now.

On the flipside of that, let's not lose sight of the fact that SJ is pretty bloody old. Could maybe get another year out of him, beyond that would surely be a stretch (he'd be turning 36 and I'm not sure there's been a half that old since Cliff Lyons in the 90s?).
 
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Worse (from Souths POV), SJ and Reynolds are the same age, so Reynolds was 3 years younger than SJ is now.

On the flipside of that, let's not lose sight of the fact that SJ is pretty bloody old. Could maybe get another year out of him, beyond that would surely be a stretch (he'd be turning 36 and I'm not sure there's been a half that old since Cliff Lyons in the 90s?).
DCE is nearly that old already... just turned 35, still has next year on contract and Manly are apparently open to another if he wants it. That'd see him playing at 37 and I wouldnt bet against him the way he's going.

Cooper Cronk didn't quite hit 36 but was only a couple months short when he retired.
 

SpaceMonkey

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Saw an interesting segment on SJ on Kayo this evening. He was talking Vossy through four of his most notable tries and discussing about his thought processes and how he’d read the opposition and pick where to run, was a pretty fascinating insight into how a talented football brain operates.
 

Penrose Warrior

First Grade
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9,453
I honestly think Shaun could have 2.5 more years in him. He's a supremely fit guy, even without the speed he's playing with a renewed maturity and finally become the outstanding organiser we always hoped he'd be. If you could pair him with a dynamic younger half, like Metcalf could be if he stayed fit, it'd work well
 

Big Marn

Bench
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2,963
Probably for as long as Webster sees value in him (if they dont win the comp this year) as they seem to have a good relationship. Probably will retire when he gets the tap on the shoulder. Seems happy and showing more leadership than ever before.
 
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Saw an interesting segment on SJ on Kayo this evening. He was talking Vossy through four of his most notable tries and discussing about his thought processes and how he’d read the opposition and pick where to run, was a pretty fascinating insight into how a talented football brain operates.
Do you remember what the segment was called? Be keen to hunt around and see if I can find that.

Love listening to ex-playmakers talk about how they structure plays, far more insightful than the journo waffle on NRL360
 
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It was on the show "The Fan".
Managed to find it on Sky on demand, thanks for the heads up :thumbsup:

Man those scores bring back some memories… his running game was so impressive. What he could’ve done if that was coupled with the game management skills he has today.

Be cool to hear him talk about some of his try assists including how he sets things up. Like Rocco’s try on the weekend where he ran the same shape twice in 3 tackles but hitting different runners... love to hear his thought process leading up to that one.
 

SpaceMonkey

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40,355
Managed to find it on Sky on demand, thanks for the heads up :thumbsup:

Man those scores bring back some memories… his running game was so impressive. What he could’ve done if that was coupled with the game management skills he has today.

Be cool to hear him talk about some of his try assists including how he sets things up. Like Rocco’s try on the weekend where he ran the same shape twice in 3 tackles but hitting different runners... love to hear his thought process leading up to that one.
100%. Hearing how he assesses played these days as a playmaker would be even more fascinating.
 

SpaceMonkey

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I could see him going around next year. Not beyond that
Possibly 2026, but that’s really only if everything aligns perfectly. Looking at him this year though you’d have to think he’s got at least another season in him.
As always though with players getting toward their mid 30s he’s one serious injury away from retirement.
 

Rich102

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New Zealand Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has provided a hint about his playing future as he runs off-contract at the end of the season.


The veteran has been in terrific form over the past 18 months and was a heavy favourite to walk away with the Dally M Medal last season.

Now, with the arrival of James Fisher-Harris from the Penrith Panthers (beginning at the start of 2025), Johnson has his sights set on earning a contract extension to remain at the New Zealand Warriors.

It is understood that the 33-year-old met with his manager on Monday afternoon, per NRL.com.

While he hasn't confirmed that he has received an offer from the club or will make a formal decision yet, he hinted at remaining in New Zealand.

“Our roster is extremely talented and we have got a lot of depth, and what I love about it is we are enticing players, especially Kiwi-born players, to come back and want to represent the club,” Johnson said at a press-conference on Monday.

"For me to make that decision to play on I have got to actually receive a contract offer, and that hasn't happened yet.

“I am starting those conversations, with the right people and it will all play out how it is meant to."

While Johnson is eyeing a contract extension to remain at the Warriors beyond the expiration of this season, coach Andrew Webster has stated that he is managing an Achilles niggle.

Johnson failed to train on Monday after being forced from the field against the St George Illawarra Dragons last week, but the coach is hopeful he will play against the Titans on ANZAC Day.

“It's just very, very sore,” said Webster.

“I'm trying to not play it down because he is being really brave. Shaun's been incredibly tough and done a great job.

"He wants to win so bad, he is willing to do whatever it takes, though he doesn't get the reps he wants to with the team.”

Webster is also hoping that he will remain at the club after a terrific 2023 season and opening seven round this year.

“The conversation is different because of what he has behind him,” Webster added.

“He's got 12 months of amazing football behind him. We didn't really know last year, even he would admit that himself, but we are just going to keep playing it by ear and being smart.”

 

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