How Johnson's return improves Warriors' chances of advancing to NRL Finals

Talismanic halfback Shaun Johnson will make a timely return for the One NZ Warriors on Friday, when they try to keep their teetering NRL Finals hopes afloat in another must-win contest with the Parramatta Eels.

Johnson has missed the team's last four matches with an injury, which has allowed Te Maire Martin a string of starts in the No. 7 jersey.

Martin has shown flashes of brilliance through that stretch - most notably in a virtuoso performance in the big win over the Cowboys in Townsville - but has been battling through injury over the past few weeks, where he hasn't quite reached those lofty standards.

Consecutive heartbreakers against the Bulldogs and the Raiders exposed a lack of organisational and kicking acumen - attributes that are among the strongest in Johnson's arsenal.

Former Warriors skipper Monty Betham has been on hand at training this week, where he's observed Johnson "running around like he's 20 years old again with a spring in his step", ready to inject the squad with the veteran leadership they've missed, as they try to salvage their 2024 season.

"That kicking game especially is one that we've missed," Betham told SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.

"If you think about the Bulldogs, if you think about, the Raiders game, it's not just the kicking that gets you in a position to win a game, it's that mindset. It's that clutch guy who's been there, done it before that steps up and puts the team in the right positions to make sure that he's in the position to actually get up there and win the game for his side.

"We've probably missed that in the last few games, which has cost us now when you think about where we are on the ladder."

The Warriors' have struggled all year with capitalising on the field position their dominant pack has allowed them through their effort in the middle of the park, and Betham hopes Johnson's inclusion will help solve some of those issues against an Eels team battling without their own star half, Mitchell Moses.

"This team is in the top two for run metres but it's what you do down the end of the field and executing in the opposition's 20 that counts.

"With Shaun Johnson's return, I just want to see them be a little bit more clinical. They were a little bit clunky last week in moments... probably not as well driven around the park.

"But we've seen guys come back and we've seen fairytale runs in the past… it would be nice to see them play well at home and make that run to the finals."

Listen to the full interview below: