Warriors play hardball with Shaun Johnson

[JJ]

We might go from a 8th placed team to 10th, on the fact that we might lose a couple of games to the lesser sides because Shaun downhill skiis on them.

.

That's a real risk now - he pounded the shit Knights (who aren't likely to be shit) and the Titans

Think we're potentially worse than 10th though - could be anwhere from 8th to last - imagine that, re-sign Kearney on an extended deal then get the spoon...

 

[One Warrior]

Pretty sad it all ended like this, could of been handled a lot better by both sides, Shaun had to be released if he wasn’t going to put in next year, 2019 probably buggered. I hope Hiku is not 6 and a big no thanks to Moses. Yes Shaun Johnson was my favourite player, but my club is the Warriors and that will never change. We now have a lot of money available, let’s hope it is spent wisely.

 

[JJ]

Shaun had to be released if he wasn’t going to put in next year, .

I can't get past that - he had a contract, so unprofessional to threaten under-performing... almost tempting to put him in reserves and leave him there to stagnate (hell, I'm childish why not respond to petulance with petulance)

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Yeah that really leaves a sour taste if true. You’re a pro, dig in and earn your next contract. Look at Cam Smith. Had no contract for 2019 and the Storm are trying to shed players to keep him.

 

[TheDMC]

Ah no, Widdop is homesick, that’s why he asked for a release, home is not New Zealand.

Yes but he will stay one more year in the NRL...we have a million bucks spare...SJ to St George for 3 year contract starting now, and Widdop to us for 2019. Would suit both clubs - we need a 1-year fix immediately (and time to plan further ahead) while I am sure St George would love to have SJ locked up for 3 years rather than just Widdop for 1 year. Win-win.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

That's a real risk now - he pounded the shit Knights (who aren't likely to be shit) and the Titans

Think we're potentially worse than 10th though - could be anwhere from 8th to last - imagine that, re-sign Kearney on an extended deal then get the spoon...

That's definitely the risk in all this.

On the other side of the coin, if we get two really good players for SJ's money the team overall is better. Plus we might see others step up without the "sit back and wait for SJ to do something" mentality which we saw some evidence of while SJ was out.

It may be short term loss for long term gain, but everyone was writing us off after last years recruitment/losses, it doesn't bother me if they do it again this off season.

 

[Rich102]

What's the chance of Harris to 6, Green to 7?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I know we’re probably not keen on it, but what’s the chance of the club spending the money on forwards and playing Green at 7 and Harris at 6?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

What's the chance of Harris to 6, Green to 7?

Haha great minds think alike.

 

[TheDMC]

I know we’re probably not keen on it, but what’s the chance of the club spending the money on forwards and playing Green at 7 and Harris at 6?

Jeepers hope not!
Rather have a rookie 7...
Rookie 7 and Tapau on 3 year contract would be fine by me!
At least we still have Green and he is worth every penny.
I've been a massive SJ fan over the years, but I'm fine for him to go, he never reached the potential here I thought he would and he is being a princess. We paid him $1 million a year and for me most of that was for his amazing running game, which all but disappeared most of the time.
We were never a contender in 2019 with him anyway. Short term pain, long term gain.

One question I have is if we don't replace him in 2019, and are $1 million under the cap, does that carry forward to our cap in 2020? or use it or lose it on year-by-year basis?

 

[Rich102]

I don't think you can bank it.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Cap is year by year I believe. Hence why back ended contracts cause so much cap grief in their later years.

 

[JJ]

Please, a big no to putting one of the games best backrowers in the halves long term...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Please, a big no to putting one of the games best backrowers in the halves long term...

I think he’d be playing more as a ball-playing edge forward anyway even with a 6 on his back.

 

[TheDMC]

Well then, let's offer Widdop 1mill to play for us next year. I'm sure that would help him temporarily get over his homesickness for UK.

 

[Benek]

Please, a big no to putting one of the games best backrowers in the halves long term...

Agree 100%. I'd rather see a rookie or mediocre journeyman in the halves and let Harris do what he does best.

 

[TheDMC]

Well then, let's offer Widdop 1mill to play for us next year. I'm sure that would help him temporarily get over his homesickness for UK.

Dang, he was already on $1 mill a year

 

[Iafeta]

Mindless. Thoughtless.

Lino mate, go by all means. We can bend SJ over and we will be sweet. Naive morons. Oh hey, we will also tell him we won’t offer him a contract yet because we really think we want him to test the market. Big Brian thinks he will get peanuts. We will be sweet. Epic fail.

This all beggars belief. No halfback for next year. They’re all under contract. Unless a club wants to punt someone. Wow, Moses? Heeeellll no. Corey Norman, good lord no.

In the future Cameron, STFU to the media about contract negotiations particularly for a long term player who is overseas. Stay in your lane. Pull your head in. It’s that disrespect, plus the lack of foresight that does my head in. You’ve effectively bent us over for 2019 and dare I say beyond.

The only way I see the Wankiors coming out of this with any type of outcome is if you get a Luke Brooks type , and somehow also fenangle a Martin Taupau.

Good luck Cameron. Good luck Brian. The halo is off lads. Fans won’t be smelling your kaka and saying it smells like roses now. You will be tested. I for one don’t think you have the smarts to get us out of this well. Up yours lads.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

This wasn't some big cat and mouse thing. The Warriors never wanted to sign Shaun beyond 2019.

 

[JJ]

This wasn't some big cat and mouse thing. The Warriors never wanted to sign Shaun beyond 2019.

But what's the plan?? Teams that win or go close tend to have big dominant packs, and dominant halves... we're taking a fresh approach?