Johnson hits out: Stephen Kearney didn’t like me
Shaun Johnson has opened up on his departure from the Warriors, claiming coach Stephen Kearney did not like him.
Johnson is now embedded at the Cronulla Sharks after a fallout with Warriors management resulted in him being granted an immediate release last week, with a year remaining on his contract.
‘‘I probably could have stayed one year, but how engaged and how much contribution I was able to give after hearing what had been said and knowing how the Warriors felt about me, that was the bit that made me go,’’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I don’t want to waste a year because we don’t have too long in this game’,’’ Johnson said.
The Warriors have had their say on the situation, chief executive Cameron George declaring in a scathing press release the club is ‘‘not going to compromise our culture on and off the field with people who do not wish to represent our club, members and fans in the way we expect’’.
That they would part with the Kiwis No 7 before they had even secured an adequate replacement – although Stuff can reveal they have made inquiries about Gold Coast young gun AJ Brimson – shows how ugly things had become.
‘‘I know deep down that I gave it a crack,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘Regardless of what the CEO says, who has been there a year or two, it dates back a lot longer than me.
‘‘I’ve been there eight years and had six coaches. So the sixth coach didn’t like me. So what? You know what I mean? I rode the tough time, I gave it a crack. I tried to keep fans engaged in their seats, I tried to play a style of footy that was going to get kids excited every week.
‘‘I know that, my family knows that and the people who know me know that, which is why I can say no, it doesn’t really affect me.’’
Kearney wasn’t available comment. for