Johnson seen as Broncos playmaker
Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson has been widely viewed as a key Brisbane Broncos signing for next year’s NRL.
Johnson will be off contract at the Cronulla Sharks at the end of the season and has been pegged by a host of Australian media organisations as the main target for the struggling Broncos.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters confirmed on Monday that playmaker Tom Dearden won’t be with the club next year, opting instead to join the North Queensland Cowboys.
‘‘Obviously we are disappointed but we have clear priorities on who we are targeting to strengthen our roster going forward,’’ Walters said. ‘‘We will continue to work through that process in the weeks and months ahead.’’
Johnson, 30, made his first appearance for the Sharks last weekend following an Achilles injury and played 63 minutes but couldn’t stop his team being upset by the lowly Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Broncos, who also let star youngster Reece Walsh join the NZ Warriors, share bottom spot on the league ladder with the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers, with just one win apiece from seven games.
Last week, league media personality Matty Johns said the Broncos needed to pursue Johnson, who spent eight years with the Warriors.
‘‘If I was the Broncos, I would go in hard for Shaun Johnson, he’s the player they need,’’ Johns said. ‘‘He told me a week ago, he hasn’t had an offer [from a rival club]. Cronulla have offered him $400k. I can’t believe the Broncos haven’t bumped him and told him, ‘You’re our man’, they could get him.’’