Season ends with a whimper

disappearing act.

That is not what superstars do on the biggest stage.

They call for the ball, and if they don’t make the winning plays, they at least attempt everything in their power to do so.

Johnson wasn’t the only culprit on a disappointing night but the halfback’s job is to touch the ball and sort things out, and HE can spark something from not much. Yet there was seemingly no desire to take the line on, rather content to just catch and pass before the line.

Most of his 79 metres from eight runs came from an early play that summed up Johnson’s night, when he scooped up the ball and ran for what would normally be a coast across the line, only for Waqa Blake to rein in a man who not long ago could have been considered one of the quickest in the game.

Veteran Blake Green’s acquisition was the smart buy for this year, designed to send the game management his way and free Johnson up from his directing of play responsibilities.

It worked to some extent but it also didn’t.

Through the year Johnson averaged 71.84 running metres, which is up on the last couple of years (69.51 in 2017 and 66.95 in 2016) but down on the two before

Ata glance

Panthers 27

(Tyrone Peachey 2, James Maloney, Christian Crichton tries; Nathan Cleary 5 goals, James Maloney field goal)

(Issac Luke, David Fusitu’a tries; Shaun Johnson 2 goals). Ht: 18-12.

12 Warriors

that (77.63 in 2015 and 78.61 in 2014). In comparison, Maloney is this year averaging 85.57 and Cleary 78.66.

Looking back at the year, Johnson’s tries have dried up too, scoring just four this season and four last year, after averaging nine in the six seasons before that.

His defence is still questionable, missing more tackles for a year than he has since the 2013 season.

Next year, coming off contract, Johnson should have plenty of distractions. He will have to improve his gameinvolvement markedly to prove he should be persevered with.