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'We've got the players to do it' - Warriors boss confident of maiden NRL premiership in 2019, without Shaun Johnson

December 11, 2018

Cameron George says that preparation for next season has already begun.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George is confident the side won't struggle on field in 2019, having seen star halfback and all-time leading points scorer Shaun Johnson leave the club.

With the club now in the market with a spare $1 million a season of the salary cap free, the Warriors are remaining calm as to their prospects for next season, with CEO George confident in the playing squad coach Stephen Kearney has at his disposal.

Speaking to RadioSport this afternoon, George said that fans can expect the Warriors to build on their success from this season, having made the top eight for the first time since 2011.

Chanel Harris-Tavita and Hayze Perham have earned Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's approval.

"We're excited about 2019," George began. It's [about] how we perform week in, week out, and we're going to be putting in a good effort.

"My expectations for this team, is to prepare and win every game. And if we can do that more often than not, then we'll be there at the business end.

"So you won't get me saying, 'if we don't make the eight it's a failure'. I've never said we would make the eight, I've never said we'll make the six, or four. We're out to win it. And if we can win more games than not, we're a big chance of that. We've got the players to do it, and if we can add some quality of value to the squad I think we're giving ourselves a big shot at it."

George is also backing young guns Chanel Harris-Tavita and Hayze Perham to step up and replace Johnson, thrust into the role of starting halfback.

The rookie forward will switch to the number 13 jersey in 2019.

"We're only dealing with one position here. Obviously, like for like, it's pretty high-level when you're talking about the Kiwi halfback, but you don't know what can fall out of the tree in terms of recruitment.

"But what I can say, is we've got three or four hungry kids looking to make that jumper their own."

The Warriors are currently back in for pre-season training before their Christmas break, before the 2019 NRL begins in March.

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