Johnson seeks early exit
WELLINGTON: , Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson could become available to NRL clubs as soon as next season after he reportedly requested an early release from his deal in New Zealand.
An unhappy Johnson took to social media this week to confirm he’d be ‘‘spreading his wings’’ after being told by the Warriors they were not set to offer him a new contract in 2020.
That situation has escalated according to a New Zealand Herald report, which claims Johnson has requested a release after a meeting with Warriors chief executive Cameron George and coach Stephen Kearney yesterday.
George did not return calls to AAP but it is understood he has declined Johnson’s request for a release.
It is unclear if the the club will relent and consider tabling a reduced offer to tempt their record pointscorer to stay put.
Cronulla was immediately linked to the 28yearold, with space free in its salary cap following the departure of NFL hopeful Valentine Holmes.
The Sharks refused to rule out a play at the Kiwi halfback in the future when contacted yesterday, although they have Shane Flanagan’s son Kyle as an upandcoming playmaker at the club.
Johnson had been linked to a move to the Raiders in a bid to solve their vacancies in the halves, after Blake Austin left the club at the end of 2018.
However, it is understood the Raiders would not be able to fit the former Golden Boot Award winner into next year’s salary cap, meaning he will not end up in Canberra.
The Sydney Roosters were previously considered another option for Johnson as a replacement for Cooper Cronk. However, that space would not open up until the end of next season.
Parramatta is another club that could be in the market for a half at that point, with both Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman off contract at the end of 2019.
The pair have reportedly been shopped around in recent months; the Eels’ salary cap is a tight fit as shown by their struggles to resign Jarryd Hayne before his latest offfield developments.
Regardless, Johnson’s departure would leave the Warriors scrambling to find a halfback next year to partner Blake Green.
Their backup for the last two seasons, Mason Lino, has left for the Newcastle Knights.
Johnson’s form has been inconsistent in recent seasons, including this year’s campaign in which the Warriors reached the finals for the first time since his debut in 2011.
His current twoyear contract was believed to be a club record seven figure deal, which he is halfway through. — AAP