Andrew Webster has executed the unthinkable in his first season as Warriors coach, main them to the highest 4 after rejuvenating the membership’s talisman Shaun Johnson.
The veteran halfback’s profession was within the steadiness in the course of the 2022 season, with membership legends calling for the 32-year-old to retire a yr earlier than his contract was as a consequence of finish.
Spending time away from house within the membership’s Redcliffe base throughout Covid took a toll on the Warriors gamers and it was clear they have been itching to return house.
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With a full pre-season throughout the Tasman, surrounded by household and associates, Johnson has flourished and is among the many favourites to win the Dally M Medal this season.
For Webster, he may see a participant that also had quite a bit to offer earlier than taking on on the Warriors and defined how he obtained the very best out of the halfback in a sit-down chat with Fox League’s Jake Duke.
“I always felt like key indicators for Shauny over his whole career were if he was happy off the field and things were going good, then he was going to play good football,” Webster stated.
“You could say that about every single human being that if they’re happy in their lives, then they’ll work well but I think it has a bigger impact on some and it’s a big deal being away from your family.
“I just thought there was signs last year that everyone told me he was slow and they were just acting like he was 100 years old, not in his early 30s.
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“I saw him play his first game back here at home [against the Knights] and to me there was an indication to me that he had a lot to offer still. He just needed to be a bit happier away from the game.”
Attack has all the time been the hallmark of Johnson’s recreation and his dazzling footwork is synonymous will the Warriors as a membership.
However, this season Johnson has taken his playmaking abilities to a brand new degree and nearly all the time appears to make the proper move or put the proper participant in area.
Webster defined that a variety of the membership’s pre-season was spent understanding tips on how to unlock Johnson’s capabilities and to work to his strengths.
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“He’s been our general and he’s got the team around and he’s got his fingerprints all over it. I think you mature every year,” Webster stated.
“I think you realise what doesn’t work for you and what doesn’t work for the team and if we get to a particular point of the field, everyone needs to know what sort of shape they need to fall into for Shaun.
“There’s a lot of things going around that just allow Shaun to be that creative guy that he can turn and talk to the team and it’s important that they’re already where he needs them.
“I think that’s been the biggest difference. They know where to be for him when he needs them. When he turns and asks for the play, they’re already ahead of it.”
Another facet of Webster’s quick tenure that went unnoticed is his lack of recruitment when he joined the membership.
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Since the Warriors introduced Webster would make the transfer from the Panthers on July 8 2022, the 41-year-old solely made a single signing in five-eighth Te Maire Martin.
The remainder of the membership’s 2023 recruits, together with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Mitch Barnett and Marata Niukore, have been all signed previous to that date.
Although, with Nicoll Klokstad’s announcement being launched two days earlier than Webster’s, it’s honest to say he would have had a say in his recruitment.
When he arrived on the membership, Webster is claimed to have referred to as each single participant and instructed them they have been wished and can be part of the membership’s plans.
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He additionally instructed membership powerbrokers he didn’t have to recruit anybody else and defined why it was necessary to place his religion within the present squad — which has paid dividends.
“When change happens it scares people and when you’re scared of something and you’re unsure of something, how can you actually produce your best work?” Webster requested.
“Sometimes that’s the best thing for people but I wanted them to know that I wanted them here and I wanted to give them every opportunity to get better and be a success.
“I wanted them to know I was on board with them and if I had that belief in them they’d start believing in themselves.
“I said in 12 months’ time we’ll see where that takes us. I think our retention and players that we want to keep at the club is a no-brainer at the moment and the majority of those guys will be here next year.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
