Hopes raised by return of Johnson

STACEY Jones isn’t expecting Shaun Johnson to win it on his own, but he knows how important the halfback’s return is.

Johnson is back for tomorrow’s game against the Sea Eagles, making his first appearance since the round 19 game against the Panthers.

In his absence the Warriors have failed to pick up any wins and the most telling statistic about his importance is that they’ve lost the last 10 games when Johnson didn’t play.

People can talk as much as they like about the Warriors having a good spine, or the need for the props to be more dominant, but the fact is Johnson is as important to the Warriors as Johnathan Thurston is to the Cowboys.

‘‘Sometimes it’s not until a player is out of the team that you realise how much you’ll miss them,’’ Jones said.

‘‘Someone like Shaun is definitely like that.

‘‘This week at training Shaun has been a big voice amongst the players and they get a bit of confidence off Shaun.

‘‘Having him back this week puts a bit of a spring into everyone’s step. We’re not focusing on him being the one who’ll make all the difference, but he’s certainly going to help.’’

They’ll need Johnson too, as the Warriors’ record against the Sea Eagles is atrocious.

Of the 30 games between the two clubs, the Warriors have won just eight of them.

It’s not just the games in Sydney where the Sea Eagles have been commanding. Of their 14 games at Mt Smart Stadium they’ve lost only on three occasions.

This season can’t really end quick enough for the Warriors.

The string of seven defeats has affected everyone at the club, with the off-field saga over ownership not helping either.

But as has been said heading into all the games over the past couple of months, a win would help lift the dark clouds over the club.

‘‘Everyone’s pretty frustrated with how things have gone,’’ Jones said.