SJ.

[Penrose Warrior]

Official news. SJ to retire at end of this season

End of an era: Johnson to retire

Shaun Johnson calls time on 14-season NRL career, announcing retirement at end of season.

www.warriors.kiwi

I got emotional watching that. I love the guy, always have. Dunno how his career stacks up but it's been a ride.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Probably best move he can make, especially if the body isn't holding up.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

He replacing Stacy as attacking coach next year?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Ah shit. Not the fairytale I had hoped he would get.

 

[flippikat]

I got emotional watching that. I love the guy, always have. Dunno how his career stacks up but it's been a ride.

Mixed feelings, for sure.

I know I've said he's gotta go, but it's always sad when a star retires.. even if he's gone round a year or two too long.

This completely changes the planning for 2025, and the space is clear now to set a halves combo - hell, set the whole spine - for a new era.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

He replacing Stacy as attacking coach next year?

I hope he goes into the media, and gets rid of Adam Blair. He speaks well, he's intelligent, to be fair now I've said that, I'm not sure he'll fit in.

 

[Blair]

With us out of contention he can have a good send off (on form he might not have been picked if we were fighting for a finals spot).

I hope he's fit for the Bulldogs at Mt Smart. That could be it or he could play away to the Sharks, fitting too, as they were his only other club.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

With us out of contention he can have a good send off (on form he might not have been picked if we were fighting for a finals spot).

I hope he's fit for the Bulldogs at Mt Smart. That could be it or he could play away to the Sharks, fitting too, as they were his only other club.

Yes, he deserves a full stadium against the Dogs. Not just sold out tickets, but every single seat filled so hopefully those who managed to get tickets will make the trip in.

Man it’s still sinking in tbh. I can’t help but feel gutted for the guy. I know fairytale finishes are a rarity but he copped a lot of stick this year for his performances, when in reality - as we belatedly found out - he was playing busted because he was trying to do right by his team.

 

[hitro]

I feel he has made the right decision, all the best games this season are without him but the coach is loyal. I think he has a lot of plans already to do media, he will be way better than Adam Blair if it's with Sky but maybe he's planning something more futuristic based on podcasts and the like

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

With us out of contention he can have a good send off (on form he might not have been picked if we were fighting for a finals spot).

Until we lose another one we are still in contention and it would be Mickey Mouse to keep picking him for old time’s sake while we’re still any sort of chance.

 

[Chins get the wins]

As a league fan this is great news for the game in NZ. The Warriors will be far stronger with him out of the way

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Until we lose another one we are still in contention and it would be Mickey Mouse to keep picking him for old time’s sake while we’re still any sort of chance.

So you don't think he will be picked this week?
Or once we lose one more he won't be picked?
I think this gives him a ticket all the way through now baring injury.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

So you don't think he will be picked this week?
Or once we lose one more he won't be picked?
I think this gives him a ticket all the way through now baring injury.

He will probably be picked.

He shouldn’t be because:

Of our last 14 games we have won 0/7 with him and 5/7 without (and if it wasn’t for losing games we glaringly should have won vs Canberra and Canterbury, it would be a perfect 0/7 vs 7/7 record)

We have scored 112 points with him in those 7 games, which is a lower per game average than the Tigers this season

We have scored 180 points without him in those 7 games at a higher per game average than the Panthers or Storm this season

I am not saying one way or another if this accurately reflects our season: but the raw stats show that from the Dragons game on we have been the worst team in the comp when SJ plays, and very nearly the best when he doesn’t. It’s that stark.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

He will probably be picked.

He shouldn’t be because:

Of our last 14 games we have won 0/7 with him and 5/7 without (and if it wasn’t for losing games we glaringly should have won vs Canberra and Canterbury, it would be a perfect 0/7 vs 7/7 record)

We have scored 112 points with him in those 7 games, which is a lower per game average than the Tigers this season

We have scored 180 points without him in those 7 games at a higher per game average than the Panthers or Storm this season

I am not saying one way or another if this accurately reflects our season: but the raw stats show that from the Dragons game on we have been the worst team in the comp when SJ plays, and very nearly the best when he doesn’t. It’s that stark.

Love the stat!

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

I will miss Shauny in the Warriors jersey. The only player to get me to yell at the top of lungs with joy many times in his stellar career. Media or coaching will be the next chapter. He's too good not to be doing something RL related.