How icon’s advice ignited this season’s feel-good story
Scott Bailey |
Luke Metcalf was never going to be intimidated by the prospect of filling Shaun Johnson’s old Warriors No.7 jersey.
The rising playmaker, set back by injury after injury at both Cronulla and the Warriors, even sought out coach Andrew Webster in the pre-season and told him he wanted to wear it.
Metcalf has undoubtedly been one of this season’s feel-good stories, leading a side tipped by some for the spoon into the NRL’s top two.
The halfback has seamlessly replaced Johnson, while being behind a forward pack that is missing James Fisher-Harris after the exits of Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake.
While less experienced players asked to follow club legends so often succumb to the pressure, Metcalf decided to embrace it.
“Because I wanted it,” Metcalf told AAP.
“I’m 26 this year, so I knew when I got this chance, I was more than ready.
“I told Webby I want to wear No.7 and I want to be that player. I want to be the one that the boys can rely on. I look at it as a privilege to be able to do that.
“There was no doubt in my mind that the years and the work and my dedication, I knew I was ready for it.”
Metcalf is well aware of the history of the Warriors’ No.7 jersey.
He has Stacey Jones as an assistant coach, roomed with Johnson as a teammate and points to Greg Alexander as another great to wear it.
There are signs of Johnson in the little things Metcalf does.
The pair text on a weekly basis, breaking down everything from studying opposition defensive lines to icing moments at the clutch.
“A lot of it is the way he goes about looking at a defence, how he is going to break them down and what he is looking for,” Metcalf said.
“I probably annoyed him a lot when we’d be roomies, always asking him about being in those moments.
“I’d ask what it was like being in them, because it’s something I always wanted to do. Just to be the guy the team rely on.
“I learnt a lot off his mindset for that … so I feel really privileged now that I get to be the person to do that for our team.”
Metcalf has scored seven tries this year and sits third on the Dally M leaderboard, with Johnson’s influence notably evident last Saturday.
With the game on the line, Metcalf proved himself to be the man – deceiving St. George Illawarra by setting up in the line to nail a match-winning field goal.
“It’s something that you work on, tinkering with your depth and that sort of stuff,” Metcalf said.
“I was lucky in that it meant I didn’t get too much pressure.
“I love chasing perfection, I’ll probably never get there, but I’ll try my best to show it.”
AAP
