Andrew Webster has insisted the Warriors will focus on more than just sending Shaun Johnson out of the game on a high over the season’s closing rounds.
Earlier this month Johnson announced he would be hanging up the boots at the end of the season, with his final game at home coming next week against the top-four hunting Bulldogs.
Despite his side being out of finals contention, Webster insisted they would still prepare for the game as normal, as opposed to shining a spotlight on the occasion and prioritising celebrating their inspirational No.7 over winning.
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“If we want to do the best thing for Shaun this week we’re going to have to make sure we prepare properly,” he said.
“If we get it back to front and pour all our energy into that (commemorating Johnson’s final home game), we’re going to get it wrong.”
However, Webster was adamant the fanfare around the occasion would celebrate Johnson appropriately.
“The fans are going to make it about Shaun, which will be the best thing. They will really celebrate him,” he said.
“If we get a win then we can celebrate that after.”
Webster explained the 33-year-old “won’t want it to be about him,” and insisted the halfback will be focused on winning for the team first rather than celebrating his fine career.
Asked if Johnson has been emotional leading into the final month of his career, Webster revealed he hasn’t, though noted “as it gets closer he might.”
“He’s been really calm and clear on the way he wants to finish and I haven’t seen any signs of emotion but I feel like he wants to enjoy every moment and memory with the boys,” Webster said.
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Warriors skipper Mitch Barnett insisted the club won’t just be playing for Johnson over the closing rounds of the season, with several of the club’s key men moving on at season’s end, including Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake.
“There’s a few blokes leaving that we just want to enjoy every moment (with),” Barnett said.
“Winning helps that. That’s our message.”
With the club preparing for life after Johnson, young half Luke Metcalf put his hand up to assume the club’s chief playmaking responsibilities during his side’s Round 24 loss to Manly.
Metcalf had a lively outing, with Webster stating post game the 25-year-old was “great.”
“He asked a lot of questions. He’s only going to get better. He’s a real threat. I thought he added plenty for us tonight.”
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