Cronulla coach John Morris admits he’s facing a major selection headache when Shaun Johnson makes his anticipated NRL return next week.
Johnson hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in round seven, when the Sharks were sat ninth after losing four of their opening seven games.
However Morris’ side have since won three of their past four with youngster Kyle Flanagan at halfback, including Saturday’s dominant 44-22 win over Parramatta.
Flanagan was one of the Sharks’ best, scoring a try, setting up another, and kicking seven from eight to personally account for half their points.
Morris conceded the 20-year-old’s form over the past month made it easier for him to give Johnson an extra week’s recovery.
“Kyle’s showing that he’s doing a good job,” Morris said.
“Shaun was better than a 50-50 to play tonight but I just didn’t think it was worth bringing him back when he was a little bit underdone.”
And while Morris was reluctant to make a call on who wears the No.7 next week, he hinted Flanagan may be forced to relinquish his jersey.
Johnson had only shown glimpses of his best in his seven games since his high-profile move from the Warriors over the summer.
“I’m not going to make any comments about who’s got that jumper at the moment,” Morris said.
“(But) they’ve obviously brought Shaun to our club for a reason.
“He’s showed at the start of the year in touches what he was doing for us. It’s just good depth. Again, it comes back to how I try and get him in.”
Johnson’s expected return against Canberra next week will leave veteran prop Aaron Woods as the only player in the club’s casualty ward.
And with co-captain Wade Graham only just making his first appearance of the season against the Eels, Morris believes the team’s best is yet to come.
He labelled the Raiders clash as their biggest test of the season so far.
“The good sides find ways to win and can win consistently,” Morris said.
“We’ve got to start knocking off some teams that are in that top four, the (Sydney) Roosters, South Sydney and Canberra, which is a great test.
“This is the biggest game for us for the year.”
