NRL 2018

@mariner4life caught that on the news today. Did get to listen to the whole interview with Vossie, but suspect they talked a bit about that. Sounds like he has another year in the junior system under contract with the Eels?

That might be good longer term but very keen to hear more than a stopgap option for 2019. I do keep wondering how on earth the Warriors thought SJ would stick around for 2019, no matter how much glitter they rolled that turd in. Dude has shown that he doesn't handle criticism, or even being challenged around performance, very well at all.

Still bemused that aside from being sad to see SJ go people can't see how petulant he's been/being.

Does he know how to use Yous in the correct context?
I assume his contract will state he only has to perform 40% of the year, be absent during the big games and make no effort to increase his skill set over a long but unfulfilled career..

@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.

@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:

@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.

Listened to him talked about the Brisbane Broncos having an abundance of halfback talent and thought he was hinting that the Warriors need to do a raid on the Brisbane roster. The RS crew didn't seem to pick up on that.

@sneakdefreak said in NRL 2018:

@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:

@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.

Listened to him talked about the Brisbane Broncos having an abundance of halfback talent and thought he was hinting that the Warriors need to do a raid on the Brisbane roster. The RS crew didn't seem to pick up on that.

We've had success in the past picking up players in the Nth Queensland catchment area too

I heard stacey jones is lacing the boots up for one last hurrah

I like SJ as a player but him and the Warriors should’ve parted ways a couple of seasons ago for both of their good.

SJ needed a new scenery and away from NZ. The Warriors needed to breath some new life into their game also.

I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working

But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,

Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .

Based on all the reports in the last few days SJ will need to change his attitude and training habits at his new club.

@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:

I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working

But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,

Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .

Players rarely get better at his age

@bovidae said in NRL 2018:

Based on all the reports in the last few days SJ will need to change his attitude and training habits at his new club.

I'm sure he'll be out to impress at his new destination

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:

I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working

But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,

Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .

Players rarely get better at his age

That’s true , it’s almost like he needs a new role,

A freewheeling 6 rather than a playmaking 7 , behind a dominant pack , he will slice you up ,

I think a club who has that pack, and the 7 already , could look at him as a bit of icing on the cake , without that pack , probably a waste of time

Can the Warriors restructure some of their longer contracts to take advantage of the new cap room this year?

@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:

I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working

But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,

Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .

Players rarely get better at his age

That’s true , it’s almost like he needs a new role,

A freewheeling 6 rather than a playmaking 7 , behind a dominant pack , he will slice you up ,

I think a club who has that pack, and the 7 already , could look at him as a bit of icing on the cake , without that pack , probably a waste of time

He's like Benji-lite. Got all the fancy moves but yet to deliver on the big stage at the right time (unlike Benji)

It's official. Shaun Johnson joins Cronulla on a 3 year deal

pretty divisive player from fan POV.

Been a big topic on Radio Sport obviously, plenty in support of the Warriors getting rid of him, plenty thought it was handled poorly, but I think majority thought the end result is best all round.

@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:

pretty divisive player from fan POV.

Been a big topic on Radio Sport obviously, plenty in support of the Warriors getting rid of him, plenty thought it was handled poorly, but I think majority thought the end result is best all round.

It frees up cap space and that is more important than having Shaun Johnson on the roster. Although they finished only two points behind first place, anyone who watched them all season long could tell it was still a seriously flawed roster.

SJ should do alright at the Sharks but they look to be in trouble both in terms of the salary cap (which they have apparently breached already) and financially. Don't think SJ sees out his three years there tbh.

haha, some comments on FB following the Sharks announcement...

The speed of that signing suggests it was well planned before he handed in his resignation

@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:

The speed of that signing suggests it was well planned before he handed in his resignation

Or his negotiation window for 2020 opened up in November so he would have known the shortlist of interested teams and the framework for some potential deals.

Did any other team apart from the Sharks have enough cap space to sign SJ?

And would the Sharks if Holmes hadn't left?

Having cap space available has not stopped other teams in the past.

No surprise. Bennett was waiting for his payout so was never going to resign.

@bovidae said in NRL 2018:

No surprise. Bennett was waiting for his payout so was never going to resign.

Yep. A classic case of holding them to ransom. The interesting thing is what this does for his legacy at a club he has had amazing success at, but then this debacle.

@act-crusader If Seibold doesn't win the comp for the Broncos, Bennett's legacy is only enhanced.

@bovidae said in NRL 2018:

@act-crusader If Seibold doesn't win the comp for the Broncos, Bennett's legacy is only enhanced.

Not sure why. They haven't won for ages, and with Bennett were never going to win it.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

There was definitely mixed support - lots of people happy to see the back of Princess - but I don't see how it benefited the organisation to come across as whiny as Johnson in the press conference. They must have known that this would be where things would end up when they decided not to give him a long term contract. If it was any other organisation I would say that he was managed out, but as it's the Warriors and they have no other options to replace him it just looks like they were a bit naive in thinking this wasn't how things would play out.

Actually, I'll likely watch the odd Sharks game next year just to see how he's going.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

There was definitely mixed support - lots of people happy to see the back of Princess - but I don't see how it benefited the organisation to come across as whiny as Johnson in the press conference. They must have known that this would be where things would end up when they decided not to give him a long term contract. If it was any other organisation I would say that he was managed out, but as it's the Warriors and they have no other options to replace him it just looks like they were a bit naive in thinking this wasn't how things would play out.

Actually, I'll likely watch the odd Sharks game next year just to see how he's going.

how did they come across as whiney?

No fucking way i am watching the Sharks.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

There was definitely mixed support - lots of people happy to see the back of Princess - but I don't see how it benefited the organisation to come across as whiny as Johnson in the press conference. They must have known that this would be where things would end up when they decided not to give him a long term contract. If it was any other organisation I would say that he was managed out, but as it's the Warriors and they have no other options to replace him it just looks like they were a bit naive in thinking this wasn't how things would play out.

Actually, I'll likely watch the odd Sharks game next year just to see how he's going.

how did they come across as whiney?

No fucking way i am watching the Sharks.

They didn't come across as whiny to you? They did to me, should have just said what Raz said and be done with it IMHO. But can't be arsed having a shitfight with you about it so happy to agree to disagree.

Yeah, you're probably right about the Sharks.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

There was definitely mixed support - lots of people happy to see the back of Princess - but I don't see how it benefited the organisation to come across as whiny as Johnson in the press conference. They must have known that this would be where things would end up when they decided not to give him a long term contract. If it was any other organisation I would say that he was managed out, but as it's the Warriors and they have no other options to replace him it just looks like they were a bit naive in thinking this wasn't how things would play out.

Actually, I'll likely watch the odd Sharks game next year just to see how he's going.

how did they come across as whiney?

No fucking way i am watching the Sharks.

They didn't come across as whiny to you? They did to me, should have just said what Raz said and be done with it IMHO. But can't be arsed having a shitfight with you about it so happy to agree to disagree.

Yeah, you're probably right about the Sharks.

it's not a shit fight, you are just being all mabo about it, and i am trying to find out some specifics.

the fuck else are we going to talk about until Feb?

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Yeah, you're probably right about the Sharks.

it's not a shit fight, you are just being all mabo about it, and i am trying to find out some specifics.
the fuck else are we going to talk about until Feb?

I dont think they came across as whiny, I just think they could have dealt with it better.

As I said above, I listen to RS at work and was fairly mixed comments and fairly even over all I reckon of people who thought SJ was a baby and Warriors handled it poorly, but the overall theme was this was the right result for both sides.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life Seriously, what has Akira got to do with this, it's not even close to being analogous?

I'm not a fan of SJ and reckon they should have got rid of him years ago, however the comments by George (which are a bit sooky) in the press conference have pissed off a bunch of Warriors fans. What they could have done differently is not made those comments which pissed off those fans.

which quotes do you take exception to?

*(Delayed response due to a conference) I didn't personally take exception to many, I just think the Warriors could have handled it better (not pissing off some of their die hards, not me, clearly I'm in a continual state of pissed off with them ).

I think @raznomore got it right with his comments above, just thanks and we wish you all the best for the future.

interesting when you say "die hards" guys on NRL forums were pretty much on the side of the warriors, especially as more came out during the week. "oosh Warriors bro" people on facebook seemed to be more on the side of SJ.

I would have been a little disappointed in the Warriors if they said only that to be fair. You've just released a key guy, people are going to want to know why.

There was definitely mixed support - lots of people happy to see the back of Princess - but I don't see how it benefited the organisation to come across as whiny as Johnson in the press conference. They must have known that this would be where things would end up when they decided not to give him a long term contract. If it was any other organisation I would say that he was managed out, but as it's the Warriors and they have no other options to replace him it just looks like they were a bit naive in thinking this wasn't how things would play out.

Actually, I'll likely watch the odd Sharks game next year just to see how he's going.

how did they come across as whiney?

No fucking way i am watching the Sharks.

They didn't come across as whiny to you? They did to me, should have just said what Raz said and be done with it IMHO. But can't be arsed having a shitfight with you about it so happy to agree to disagree.

Yeah, you're probably right about the Sharks.

it's not a shit fight, you are just being all mabo about it, and i am trying to find out some specifics.

the fuck else are we going to talk about until Feb?

Hahaha, I'm in all of the camps from TRs post:
@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:

people who thought SJ was a baby and Warriors handled it poorly, but the overall theme was this was the right result for both sides.

I think there is more that went on behind the scenes at Penrose that led to some of the comments from both parties. I noted that SJ was much more level-headed when interviewed at the airport after returning from Sydney. Someone probably had a word in his ear.

What I have found the most interesting are the comments from former teammates about SJ, and most of it isn't flattering.

The Warriors don't need Nikorima. Sneak, is this move going to upset me in years to come in a Luke Lewis kind of way?

@canefan See, I told you all that they're idiots!

Pita Hiku at stand off. Works on the PS4, doesn't work in real life!

@Nepia apparently Kearney is ok with trying out some of the young up and comers as part of pre-season. That does sound risky to me, but I think they are keeping their powder dry (have been talking to Hansen and co) as they can buy a player right up to the season starting. We might risk losing the chance to nab Kodi etc but we could also get him, or someone else, on a better deal.

On one hand I like the fact they aren't rushing into anything. But on the other hand messing around with your play-maker selection and recruitment isn't a great idea either.

@paekakboyz said in NRL 2018:

On one hand I like the fact they aren't rushing into anything.

Hee hee. Yeah, lets not have a settled squad with one of the playmakers TBC depending on how some young blokes go in a trial and whether all the centres can be fit in considering that Kata is undroppable.*

• As noted below I'm in a continual state of pissed off with the Warriors so this just adding more fuel to the fire for me.