Warriors wants to replace Shaun Johnson with an 18-year-old half-eel

The Warriors are thought to target Parramatta's young young gunman, Dylan Brown, as a potential replacement for Shaun Johnson in the long run.

Brown has not yet played in freshman, but the former Australian-born, 18-year-old New Zealand semifunner is one of the most promising eel players and is considered a star of the NRL in the making.

The number 7 teen is under contract with Eels until the end of next season, but it is believed that the Warriors are keen to secure its services for 2020 and beyond.

The Warriors are urgently looking for a new half-back for the fifth-eighth of Blake Green, their partner, next season, after the club decided Wednesday to grant Johnson an immediate release from the final year of his contract.

Last year, Johnson signed a $ 2 million contract a season with the Warriors, but demanded his release after a month of speculation and uncertainty over his long-term future at Mt Smart Stadium. .

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The former Golden Boot winner was less impressed after the Herald revealed last month that the Warriors were in no hurry to sign the enigmatic game maker again beyond next season.

Johnson's future remains uncertain, but he is expected to agree to join Cronulla next season on a one-year contract.

Brown has not played in first year yet, but he made his debut in July with Parramatta's parent club Wentworthville, playing five appearances in the Intrust Super Premiership this season under the tutelage of the former Magpies head coach and new Warrior assistant coach Nathan Cayless.

Brent Read, editor-in-chief of the Australian Rugby League, went on social media last night, claiming that sources suggest that the Warriors are willing to spend a lot of money to attract Brown on the Tasman for a gigantic long-term contract.

Although the type of money that Read describes seems unlikely, as evidenced by the events of recent days, everything is possible in rugby league.

[Shaun Johnson speaks out for first time after Warriors exit]

Brown's quickly made a name for himself as a powerful defender and organizer. Peter O. Sullivan, Recruitment Manager at Warriors, would have identified him as a candidate to fill the void left by Johnson's departure.

Parramatta has recently tried to unload his two current halves, Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman, by buying them from rival clubs.

That is the high esteem in which Brown's emerging talent is held, it is understood that the Eels are eager to part with one of their established playmakers to allow them to promote Brown within the NRL the next season.

It seems that Brown has left the Parramatta coaches stunned earlier this season by outclassing club captain Clint Gutherson – the most fit player in the Eels training – in his conditioning tests.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to realize his gambling potential, but it seems the Warriors are keen to nurture him alongside Green, who has another two years of contract.

The Warriors do not put all their eggs in one basket and explore many options. The young Cowboys and former Kiwi playmaker Te Maire Martin is also considered another player of interest.

The former Penrith No 6, aged 23, was in negotiations to join the Warriors last season before settling in North Queensland for a three-year contract.

The release of Johnson means that the Warriors now have a lot of money to spend on recruiting new talent and can look for a short-term discount option in the halves, if a big-name organizer does not appear on the market.

Kearney could ask multi-talented back Peta Hiku to move into eighth place and put Green in the half-back role, or offer an opportunity to one of the club's youth, while seeking to strengthen his team. team.