An animated Shaun Johnson has delivered a hilarious post-match speech after slotting the matchwinning penalty in a mammoth comeback victory against the Sharks.
Coming into this clash, the 32-year-old had only beaten Cronulla once in 10 attempts, having played for the club for three seasons.
But in 2023, the Warriors are a different beast and Johnson led from the front before sealing victory with only 30 seconds remaining in the clash.
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Johnson’s 2022 form came under the microscope, with some pundits even calling for him to retire.
However, the veteran halfback has flown out of the blocks in 2023 and recorded two try assists and a try against the Sharks before his “raw” interview.
“That was off its head, off its head, we spoke about it at halftime, do we actually believe we can come out and do it?” Johnson said to Fox league’s Jake Duke post match.
Duke also asked what was said during the halftime break, with the Warriors trailing 20-0 after 18 minutes.
“We said some funny s**t at halftime bro, we were like ‘what a story it would be, we will tell out grandkids about this one day lads, just go out and have a crack’.
“And I thought we just, f**k man, we are just so resilient, I love being a part of it and it is just such a good feeling.
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“Obviously so much to like, so much to not like but at the end of the day, when you come here, they are a good side bro, they are a good side and just what a feeling.”
Johnson stayed calm and collected during his crucial penalty goal attempt.
But if it wasn’t for former Sharks coach John Morris — the gun halfback may not have had such a level head.
“You know what’s funny, this is exactly what I was thinking, we used to do pre-season here, John Morris used to make me kick goals at the end of a solid training session,” Johnson explained.
“He’d say ‘if you get it, the boys are done for today’ and he’d make me kick them from the sideline while all the boys were watching me.
“It actually took me back to that moment, I’ve kicked so many goals out here so to get one go over in the dying minutes, what a feeling.”
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Fox League’s Corey Parker explained Johnson looks like a new man after a turbulent campaign last season.
The Warriors finally were able to complete a pre-season in their Auckland base following the Covid pandemic and also have seen a huge boost under rookie coach Andrew Webster.
“That is as raw as it gets from Shaun Johnson,” Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson said.
“To hear Shaun Johnson after the game, you mention the word raw, that’s as raw emotion as I have seen from Shaun Johnson in a long time,” Parker said.
“When he said they sat there in the sheds at halftime… for them to actually say it is one thing, but then to come out and actually do it is enormous for their season.
“Today at Shark Park, 20-0 after 15 minutes.”
