Tom Johnston a calculated transfer risk : Tue Apr 12, 2022 8:26 pm
From Mathew ShawTom Johnstone is a calculated transfer risk clubs are desperate to make but daren't
The Wakefield Trinity winger is off-contract at the end of the season.
For many fans across Super League, the prospect of having Tom Johnstone wearing their club's colours is a mouth-watering one. Next year, that could very much become a reality. The Wakefield winger is off-contract at the end of the season and in less than three weeks will be free to speak to rival clubs about a move.
There is little doubting Johnstone's talent. Among the best finishers in world rugby, the speedster provides genuine x-factor and a serious threat whenever and wherever he touches the ball on the field. In recent years he has improved the defensive side of his game and his yardage has improved too.
But there is one almighty caveat that will be considered by potential suitors of the Wakefield ace, and that's his rotten injury record. Johnstone is only 26 but has already undergone two ACL reconstructions, concussion issues and various other injuries that have seriously hampered his career.
Johnstone made his debut in 2015 and since the beginning of his career has averaged around 15 games per season. He has only made more than 20 appearances in any one year on two occasions due to his terribly unfortunate run of bad luck.
The dilemma facing clubs considering a move for Johnstone was perfectly illustrated in his most recent return from injury in Wakefield's win over Salford. Johnstone produced an individual display unlike many will have seen at Belle Vue that day. He scored two tries, created another and instigated another with a superb counterattack from within his own in-goal. But he was withdrawn at half-time after sustaining a back injury that resulted in him missing their Challenge Cup defeat to Wigan Warriors.
Unfortunately, signing Johnstone comes with an element of risk. Generally speaking, clubs are reluctant to pay big money to wingers anyway. Most would have no issue doing that on a player as talented as Johnstone but his injury record will no doubt leave clubs mulling over a move when otherwise they would not
Ultimately, Johnstone's future will be determined by whether a club is willing to take a calculated risk. There are some clubs who may trust their medical departments enough to believe they can get him on the field longer than Wakefield. If they can do that, they will justify paying the money his agent will no doubt be commanding. But 'if' is the biggest word in professional sport, and it's a very big if, too.
It would be easy for fans of every club in Super League to plead with the decision-makers to go and sign Johnstone, and those sort of calls are entirely understandable. But another major injury would mean a fair chunk of salary cap sat on the sidelines that can't be reinvested, which then frustrates fans down the line.
A good comparison is that of David Fusitu'a. A fellow winger, Leeds Rhinos fans were delighted to have signed the former Dally M winger, despite the fact he arrived after two years of torrid injury troubles. Now, he has managed just three appearances, two of which he went off injured in, and he has now undergone minor knee surgery. Now, there are concerns about whether it was the right signing to make.
That is the big deliberation facing clubs over Johnstone.
Wakefield themselves will no doubt have a say in the matter. Trinity aren't the biggest spenders in Super League but they should be in a position to compete financially with other clubs unless a rival blows them out of the water with figures they simply cannot reach.
Johnstone has played in seven of Wakefield's nine games so far this year, a solid enough ratio that will be looked upon favourably. And regardless of where he ends up, most fans, irrelevant of their allegiance, will no doubt wish to see more of Johnstone on the field in the years to come.
