An emotional Shaun Johnson fronted media on Tuesday at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, saying that it had been a "draining 24 hours" since he made his decision to retire at the end of this season.
"A lot went into yesterday," Johnson said.
"But it feels good knowing that I've made the decision, a little bit like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. To be able to come out and say it, announce it the way I wanted to.
"Departures can be forced sometimes. So for me to have control over this, knowing that there was something there for me (an offer to stay on) next year, but I've made the decision not to."
Johnson will hang up the boots after 11 seasons at the Warriors, as well as a 44-game stint at the Sharks from 2019-21. He guided the side to their last grand final appearance in his first year...