"It is still pretty unreal at this stage," Johnson admitted. "I have been told it is going to be a big week and I guess I just want to go with it and embrace what grand final week is all about. We are happy to be here."
That they are indeed "here" is in no small measure down to their rookie halfback. As the saying goes, the kid can play. On Saturday night he ran his team around like an old pro, sent a succession of sweetly-timed bombs raining down on the Storm back three, and finally created Lewis Brown's clinching try with a weaving run, audacious dummy and slick pass.
"It was just kind of an instinct thing and I guess it kind of just happened with the moment," he said. "[Assistant coach] Tony Iro was keeping on at me all night that I needed to take on the line and I guess I did that and it came off."
Having begun the season suffering a debilitating back injury during a kicking session that he thought might prevent him playing at all this year, his mesmeric rise from much-touted prospect to NRL grand finalist has been a lot to take in.
Just a couple of months ago, he'd all but written off 2011.
"I was pretty much prepping myself for next pre-season. I guess it slowly started to turn and I worked hard to get to where I needed to be. I'm just so grateful I got the shot to play."
So too, no doubt, are the club's fans.
Johnson's rise ensures he is the target of plenty of ribbing from his teammates.
As with the comparisons with the aforementioned trio of superstar playmakers, he does his best to take it in his stride.
"I don't mind it. Benji is an awesome player so I wouldn't shrug it off any day of the week."
So whose game does this 21-year-old of Laotian descent most closely resemble?
"None of theirs. They are obviously all great players in their own right. I'd like to create my own path. Hopefully I'll pick out a little bit from each of their games and add it to mine. But they are all players I admired growing up and still do."
As for the head-to-head with Cherry-Evans, it's a bit like the Manly question.
Johnson doesn't believe their paths crossed in the Toyota Cup. Like so much of what lies ahead this week, it's all new. Johnson will just keep doing what he has been doing - keep his head down and rely on the backing of his teammates.
"It is going to be a big challenge but I have got 12 other players on the field around me who are going to help me out."
The Warriors will be joined on grand finals day by the Junior Warriors who play the Cowboys in the Toyota Cup final and the Vulcans who yesterday qualified for the NSW Cup with a 30-26 win over Cronulla.
LOCKE SEES MORE KNOCKS HEADING HIS WAY IN SYDNEY
Kevin Locke copped a couple of smacks in the head during Saturday night's NRL finals victory over the Storm.
After the match the livewire fullback gave a few of the verbal kind back, accusing Storm captain Cameron Smith of kneeing him in the face in the opening half of what was an intense struggle.
"It was a cheap shot from Cameron Smith," Locke said. "He kneed me in the chin and jaw as well. It was pretty cheap but that comes with footy. Melbourne are good at giving the little snarky [shots]."
Smith's saintly reputation is unlikely to be dented across the Tasman, but his attack on Locke looked every bit like a calculated effort to rattle a player whose toughness has been questioned before. Locke though erased any doubts he can roll with the blows, brushing off the Smith incident and also bouncing back from a nasty second half head-high tackle by Beau Champion.
Incredibly both referees missed Champion's hit despite it occurring in open play, prompting Locke to stay down so the incident could be reviewed by the video referee.
"He got me a beauty," Locke said.
"It rocked me a bit but I was going to get back up. If it wasn't for the trainer saying stay down to milk the penalty I would have got back up."
Having emerged as a key member of the side since his switch to fullback, Locke expects to be targeted for some more rough treatment by Manly in Sunday's grand final.
"Definitely. It is a grand final. Both teams will be going in there to bash each other around."
Locke has had a tumultuous season, producing career-best form after switching to his favoured fullback position while also dealing with being the subject of a police investigation for an off field incident.
"It is very emotional," he said of reaching the grand final. "It is a dream come true for myself and the team."
The switch to fullback had proved the turning point of his career, he said.
"I always wanted to play fullback. When I got the opportunity against the Gold Coast I just smiled at Ivan and thanked him for the opportunity, [and said] 'I won't let you down'.
"I haven't turned back."
Manly centre Steve Matai is free to play in the grand final after yesterday escaping a dangerous contact charge by the match review committee.
The New Zealand centre was placed on report in the 65th minute of the Sea Eagles' 26-14 win over Brisbane on Friday after sliding into the chest of Jharal Yow Yeh with his knees.
In-form backrower Tony Williams will also be available if he takes the early guilty plea for a grade two careless high tackle on Yow-Yeh.
GRAND FINAL:
Sea Eagles v Warriors
Sydney, 7pm Sunday
