Shaun Johnson hungry but not for Dally M Medal

Shaun Johnson was one vote shy of taking the Dally M medal but is not making it his main 2024 goal.

Shaun Johnson feels he “hasn’t really achieved anything” in his career yet but insists the Dally M Medal that narrowly eluded him last season will not be a goal in 2024.

Eyeing a maiden premiership in what could be his last season, Johnson believes his Warriors have started the season better than they did the last, which ended in a preliminary-final finish.

Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga beat Dally M favourite Johnson by one vote to claim the NRL’s top individual honour in 2023, with both men pivotal to their sides’ resurgent seasons.

On Wednesday, Johnson insisted the near-miss would not be a source of motivation as he looked to push his side a week further this season.

“Dally M never has been a goal of mine,” he said.

“Winning a comp and just playing at a high level every week, being able to walk off the field with my head high regardless of the outcome, is something that I’m striving for.

“Because I know if I can do that more often than not, then we’re probably going to be in a better chance of winning most games anyway.”

Johnson was lauded as having a career-best season in 2023 but believed glowing reflections on his campaign were too forgiving.

“There were patches throughout last year which are quickly forgotten about in this resurgence talk but I’m not keen to have those patches so I’m still pretty hungry,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve got a point to prove. I haven’t really achieved anything and that’s how we feel as a squad.

“We got so close to tasting the ultimate goal last year and when you know you’ve got a squad and what you’re capable as a side and you’ve got that confidence, it’s really up to us with how it plays out now.”

The 11th-placed Warriors enter Sunday’s semi-final rematch against Newcastle with a 1-2 record, having bounced back from tight losses to Cronulla and Melbourne with a win over Canberra.

Despite sitting fourth at the same time last season, Johnson feels more comfortable in his side’s start to 2024.

“We’re in a better spot,” said 33-year-old Johnson, who is off contract at the end of the year.

“I think as a team and our understanding of our style and what wins games, I think we’re certainly far more advanced.

“It’s completely up to us whether we want to do it for a long enough period.”

Wayde Egan has been a week-by-week proposition since injuring his elbow in the round-one loss to the Sharks but completed a full training session on Wednesday and is expected to face the Knights.

The Warriors expect fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to return from his hamstring injury and play his first game of the season against South Sydney next weekend.