Warriors play hardball with Shaun Johnson

[Iafeta]

Blair presumably hasn’t chucked his toys about not being able to expect a lucrative contract extension though

He won’t need to. By the time he’s off contract next he’ll be getting around on a zimmerframe.

Adam can count his blessings. He’s the most grossly overpaid player in the league and I believe his gross overpayment has forced the club to try to pressure and grind other players down to compensate.

 

[JJ]

Blair is devastating in the nets

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

...on Blair? His 6 hit ups per game for 45m...

 

[Mr Angry]

What's an Xerri and is it made by Holden or Ford?

https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2018/11/28/under-the-surface---bronson-xerri2/

Mercedes-Benz

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Question.

If Cameron George doesn’t believe Shaun Johnson is a $1m player. Wtf must he be thinking about the return on investment on Blair? His 6 hit ups per game for 45m at $800 large looks like a prudent signing.

I assume he’s being given the cold shoulder too?

If your Adam Blair right now do you think "I better pull my finger out?" Or "I better start washing Kearneys car?"

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I can only surmise that Blair does a lot of the stuff right that doesn’t show up in the stats or obviously on field, particularly around leadership and motivating the other players. He seems to be regarded as something of a forward leader anyway.
SJ never seemed to really cut it as a leader whether it was due to unwillingness on his part or just not having the other players on side due to his “princess” reputation I don’t know.

 

[WellsNZ]

Worst case for Blair if they really weren't happy with him is he gets to cruise in reserves earning 800k for another couple of years. He doesn't really have much to worry about. By the time his contract is up he is going to be close to empty and nobody will pay him that type of money again so he has no reason to throw an SJ tantrum.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Thanks already forgot how to spell his name!
Shawn Johnson is a much better sort.

Hey now.........spell it right!

 

[Iafeta]

Worst case for Blair if they really weren't happy with him is he gets to cruise in reserves earning 800k for another couple of years. He doesn't really have much to worry about. By the time his contract is up he is going to be close to empty and nobody will pay him that type of money again so he has no reason to throw an SJ tantrum.

Absolutely. But do we hold highly paid players to account once November 1 the year prior to their contract end arrives? It would appear that way to me.

We have tolerated Kata who won’t pass (however in fairness I believe aside from that he’s a good player, but, that is a major fundamental), and Blair as well. I like the cut of Adam Blair’s gib. He’s a highly likeable guy in the media. But I think he gets by on that before consistently coasting through games.

 

[waipiro]

I think Johnson is amazing when he is on but if we are serious about the club being consistently better then we had to rectify the recurring issues. Especially if demands and commitment didnt align.
I'm sure this isnt exactly how they thought this would play out but now its an opportunity for a youngster to shine.
I think Te Maire Martin would be a great start if we could get him

I also wonder why Johnson as our marquee player has never won our player of the year in all the years he was with us. Even when sides run bad the cream should rise to the top....at least once in 9 years anyway

 

[waipiro]

We have tolerated Kata who won’t pass (however in fairness I believe aside from that he’s a good player, but, that is a major fundamental), and Blair as well. I like the cut of Adam Blair’s gib. He’s a highly likeable guy in the media. But I think he gets by on that before consistently coasting through games.

I think Blair has added starch to the defensive line this year and i think he would be a good influence/mentor for our young fowards regarding fitness, defensive positioning, work ethic, etc,

Like you say though not a meter eater....but not what he was brought for i reckon

 

[Iafeta]

One other point. I find Cameron George’s rhetoric on why Shaun wasn’t here next year very familiar. It’s very much the same tenor as Mick Watson when Ali Lauitiiti was released. The only difference is this time Monty and co weren’t forced into a sham PR exercise where they trotted out comments that clearly weren’t their own thoughts.

 

[Rich102]

Absolutely. But do we hold highly paid players to account once November 1 the year prior to their contract end arrives? It would appear that way to me.

We have tolerated Kata who won’t pass (however in fairness I believe aside from that he’s a good player, but, that is a major fundamental), and Blair as well. I like the cut of Adam Blair’s gib. He’s a highly likeable guy in the media. But I think he gets by on that before consistently coasting through games.

I think Blair's biggest asset is his stopping power. He has the size to stop the big men in their tracks.
Hopefully after another preseason with Corvo he will offer more minutes. Oh wait, I forgot, Kerney prefers Jazz.

 

[¿N. ig-mah¿]

I don't care who is right or wrong in the Warriors Vs SJ thing.
All I'm saying is, it will be bloody difficult watching him play against us (especially if he plays well)

I think it would be incredibly easy to put SJ off his game. Especially a few onfield jibes from ex-teammates who know is psychological weaknesses. I think there are enough ex-Warriors around the NRL who know his true personality that can throw is game.

Im pleased he is gone. I was never convinced he had another level, and have always known he was an entitled child after hearing the eye witness report of him arriving rotten drunk at a party at 3am on game day, when its was rumoured some of the players were trying to sabotage the coach. I can't remember if it was under Bluey or Matt Elliott, but it showed the power he felt he had within the club. That attitude has been swelling since then, judging by the reports of training attitude and the threats he was reported to make when meeting with the club to request the release.

The only mistake the club made was pandering to him for 8 years.

I dont think his career will grow from here. I believe Super League is less than 2 years away, and his image and clothing line are dead. He wont survive the fishbowl of Sydney. And how well will a clothing line based around a number he probably wont be wearing anymore work?

 

[JJ]

If Blair's there for defence, fine, but he needs bigger minutes - our lack of power through the middle with the ball is a big (and ongoing) issue though...

 

[Beavers Headgear]

There is more noise coming out about Moses to Warriors

 

[Rich102]

George said on TV last night that the phone had been running hot with players interested.
Wonder if Tomkins applied?

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Gotta be TMM right? He and Green would be great together.

Ryley Jacks or Brock Lamb could have been 2 other options had the timing been different given they both only signed 1 year deals for 2019 iirc

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

There is more noise coming out about Moses to Warriors

Please no.

The more I think about it, the more I'm aligning myself the the Warriors in this. No one man is bigger than the team, and just look at SJ, posting a picture topless signing his release. Yeah, nah, thanks for the memories. Bye princess.

On his day, yes, he is one of the best players in the game. A game winner. However, over a span of a whole season, how many on days compared to off days are there.

 

[Izz]

There is more noise coming out about Moses to Warriors

That noise better be the club shouting, 'No way!'