Cronulla legend Paul Gallen says departing Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson struggled to keep his head straight for the club this season as he played under the cloud of an uncertain future. The Sharks missed out on a spot in the finals series, falling short on for and against after finishing equal on points with the eighth-placed Titans. Johnson missed the back end of the season with a hamstring injury, but prior to that he struggled to consistently produce his best form. The classy 31-year-old will suit up for the Warriors next season, after signing on for a two-year deal that reunites him with the club where he became a star. However, prior to signing that deal in late June, Johnson's future was the source of constant speculation, with Cronulla dealing with a top-heavy salary cap and the uncertainty that comes with the impending arrival of a new coach. Gallen said the club's inability to field a consistent halves pairing combined with a distracted Johnson was a defining factor in their failure to make the eight. "I personally think Shaun's head wasn't quite there this year. "I think when he decided to leave the club and that the club wasn't going to offer him another contract he was happy to find somewhere else to go.
No comments:
Post a Comment