For as much as Benji Marshall has enjoyed watching Shaun Johnson's remarkable form for NZ Warriors this season, there's been a certain sense of salt in the wounds from the fellow Kiwis Hall-of-Fame half.
Marshall is in New Zealand this week in his capacity as an assistant coach with Wests Tigers, who face a tall order against the rampaging Warriors in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Limiting Johnson's impact is a key point on his staff's agenda, which may have been a different story had the 32-year-old taken the juicy $1.3 million lure the Tigers cast his way earlier this year in an attempt to bring him to western Sydney, where Marshall will take over from Tim Sheens as head coach.
Johnson rejected that offer in favour of a one-year deal to remain in Auckland, much to the delight of the Wahs faithful but less so for Marshall, who's marveled at his former teammate's resurgence and the impact it's had on lifting the embattled club to the competition's upper echelon.
So much so, Marshall says he'll be surprised if Johnson is not awarded the sport's most revered individual prize - The Dally M medal.
"It was no secret we tried to lure Shaun Johnson over the ditch but I understand all of the reasons why he wants to be home," said Marshall in Huntly, where the Tigers were welcomed with a powhiri on Thursday.
"The way he's playing inside the team - I'll be very surprised if he doesn't win the Dally M."
Currently leading the NRL in try assists, Johnson is in a prime position to follow Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and become the second Warriors player to win the award.
Of the Top 20 players listed when public voting closed after round 12, none have been injury or suspension free since other than Johnson, who occupied the ninth spot.
He's consistently been one of the Warriors' best players in their stretch of nine wins in 14 games, meaning he's banking valuable voting points.
An expert in the intricacies of halves play from his 20 years at the top of the sport, Marshall identifies some critical areas that have helped Johnson elevate his game back to his vintage best - and beyond - and it all starts at the defensive end.
"Shaun has always been one of my favourite players to watch, and if you watch his game closely this year, he's putting his body on the line defensively," he noted.
"I think he has a 92 percent tackle efficiency - for a half, that's phenomenal.
"He's doing the tough things - running the footy, taking the line on - all the things that people love to see Shaun Johnson do. When he's doing that, it's better for the team.
"He's definitely their go-to guy, and that's why we tried to sign him."
"The way he's going and given the Warriors results, he'll be a big chance [to win the Dally M]."
The other primary force behind the Warriors' transformation has been head coach Andrew Webster, who also just happens to have close ties with Marshall.
Webster was an assistant coach at the Tigers during one stage of Marshall's 13 seasons with the club.
The Whakatane product says the Warriors play bears all of the hallmarks of Webster's nuanced and no-frills approach to coaching and he's been proud to watch his "good mate" flourish.
"When he got the job I knew straight away it was perfect for him. He's lived over here before, he understands the culture of what it's like here in New Zealand and he drives really high standards.
"I've never seen a coach be able to talk and explain rugby league and put it in a way that players just understand it.
"I think you can see it in the way the Warriors are playing - their resilience, their defence is outstanding.
"All of the little effort areas, they're really good at - and that's Webster.
"Just to see what he's done with that team , it's been a massive turnaround. I think when the Warriors are good, rugby league in New Zealand is generally good."
Saturday's fixture is officially a 'home' game for the Tigers - a gesture of gratitude from the Sydneysiders for the enormous sacrifices made by the NZ-based club during their two years of COVID-enforced exile that ensured the competition was able to continue.
"It's a privilege for us to be able to bring this game back," said Marshall. "We're really proud that we get the opportunity to come and repay the Warriors.
"I dont think it's talked about enough how much effort that's required for them to give up their lives here in New Zealand - not only players, but the staff too - and sacrifice for the game to carry on.
"I think karma has hit because the way they're going this season has been pretty impressive."
