Johns to announce he's staying in RL on Footy Show.

[legend]

Think of the marketability Union would have got out of Johns had he crossed over and think about how many objects you would throw at the television in disgust seeing Johns in a Wallabies jersey. I know I would.

It wasn't just his ability on the field, it's his reputation and marketability off the field that would have hurt more than anything he achieved playing Rugby.

Rugby would have had Johns on every ad and they would have been using him against League in a cross code war in a battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation of league players and they would have made significant inroads IMO.

We would have been copping it from Union fans ad nauseum on how they lured our best player across to play their game.

The retention of Johns may be a catalyst for the game to reach new heights.

I'd love to see the look on Wendell's face once it's confirmed Johns is staying put.

 

[Tidus_Raider]

It is not unfair at all. If Gasnier's heart was truly at the Dragons than accepting a lesser amount of money shouldn't be an issue. Read the Gordon Tallis thread..

 

[Parraren]

True legend but it should be done across the board. Tomorow they'll target someone else, maybe Lockyer, what happens then?

 

[next knights half]

no one should beleve anything untill its official my thoughts though why would you go onto a rugby league show to tell them you where switching codes

 

[legend]

Then we do the same again for Lockyer. His status is the equal of Johns IMO.

Should Rugby make another foray into the League player market, it will show them as such a desperate code, their own fans won't take them seriously and they'll risk a major backlash from the players who will ask, where will it all end?

Hopefully, it ended today!

 

[Tidus_Raider]

Totally agree Legend. Lockyer ATM is the best player in the world and any forays by Union should be combatted by the NRL. However what can they offer Lockyer. He doesn't have the same level of media skills as Joey does.

 

[eastsrule]

Lockyer is the best player in the world at the present time. I agree. But he isn't the most marketable. Johns on the other hand as legend stated, is being signed more from a marketting sense.

Another example would be Tallis, if lets say the QLD Reds signed him, he is a QLD hero, many people would start following the Reds. And more NSW men will start to hate the Reds. Simple fact.

On the matter of Gasnier, Gasnier is in his early 20's, it should be his right to earn the best amount of money possible. He still needs to set himself and his future family up. Whereas Tallis is reaching the end of his career and probably has enough money to live off the rest of his life.

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

god i hate johns but there is no denying how much he means for league...

 

[Kiwi]

For f*cks sake the guy is arguably the greatest player the game has ever produced. He is a future immortal. When fit he is the captain of Newcastle, NSW and Australia. He is the most recognizable player in the game. Gallop and co SHOULD be doing everything they can to keep him in the game.

It is not a matter of the NRL needing Johns. That answer is simple. Hell no. There will always new new superstars. Sailor, Tiquiri and Rogers might have gone but Lewis, Hunt, Slater and Marshal are already emerging.

It's more a matter of symbolism. It's league V Union. How bad would it look to lose Johns, the games best player, to union.

Comparing Johns with Gasnier is lame. For all the good Gasnier has done he wiped that out in one night.

You argue that with Sailor ect there are the likes of hunt, lewis ect emerging.

Well Johns goes we still have th best player in the game, Lockyer, guys like Orford, Barrett, Anasta, Marshall, Kimmorley, Prince, Gower, K Gidley, Sherwin.......and so on and so on.

 

[Murphdogg1]

i think he should stay in League cos if he goes to union he will get dominated by 'King' Carlos Spencer

 

[Tidus_Raider]

For f*cks sake the guy is arguably the greatest player the game has ever produced. He is a future immortal. When fit he is the captain of Newcastle, NSW and Australia. He is the most recognizable player in the game. Gallop and co SHOULD be doing everything they can to keep him in the game.

It is not a matter of the NRL needing Johns. That answer is simple. Hell no. There will always new new superstars. Sailor, Tiquiri and Rogers might have gone but Lewis, Hunt, Slater and Marshal are already emerging.

It's more a matter of symbolism. It's league V Union. How bad would it look to lose Johns, the games best player, to union.

Comparing Johns with Gasnier is lame. For all the good Gasnier has done he wiped that out in one night.

You argue that with Sailor ect there are the likes of hunt, lewis ect emerging.

Well Johns goes we still have th best player in the game, Lockyer, guys like Orford, Barrett, Anasta, Marshall, Kimmorley, Prince, Gower, K Gidley, Sherwin.......and so on and so on.

Johns is more than just a player. He is the marquee, the franshise player in Rugby League. The city of Newcastle worships him. Junior players in all areas idolize him. Union poacing him would of been a a knife to the back and rubbing salt into the wound. By staying, Johns, the NRL and Rugby League in general benefits. In later years we wont talk about him as the "the greatest player who chose to give union a go" but "the greatest player that remained loyal to the code the made him great".

 

[Nook]

Well just to keep this topic rolling along it now appears that Johns will be on the footy show tonight, but won't make any announcement - Fordham has been on 2UE and said that all the rumours flying around today are crap. The saga continues. Good stuff Joey. :roll:

Can't see him staying to be honest. Its a pity, and the dirty Union scum will get their litttle bit of publicity, but when its all said and done if he doesn't want to hang around then f**k him.

 

[Nook]

Another example would be Tallis, if lets say the QLD Reds signed him, he is a QLD hero, many people would start following the Reds. And more NSW men will start to hate the Reds. Simple fact.

Maybe, but what is equally true is that the vast majority will continue on doing what they have always done: neglecting to give a f**k about the Rugby.

 

[Special K]

The NRL should "Top up" bids from nrl teams going for players from the Wallabies

 

[Matt23]

Just make a decision ffs #-o

 

[axie]

I have mixed feelings; if Johns signs with Union, then, of course league will suffer ...

However, if Johns signs with channel 9 and continues to become a media identity, then we all suffer his dribble ...

Either way, pain will ensue.

 

[Nook]

If he was staying with league, he would have announced it tonight.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

god there are mixed feelings everywhere axi

People want him to go
People want him to stay
People bagging him because he was about to go then bagging him because he is staying.

 

[Leagueguy]

Well is he going or is he staying? The strongest possible rumour has to be the one thats come from Mathew Johns for sure. I think he will make an announcement tonight, no one wants to confirm it because the uncertainty will make more people watch it.

What is really really bad for the people that don't like him and hate him for what he's done is that he's getting a 10 year tv deal. Thats 10 years of having to look at him and hear him on nine .Perhaps more people will get foxtel now.

 

[Parra_Eels]

surely there is A 5/8 in the whole world that plays union that could actually play 5/8 for the waratahs. donnelly wasn't entirely bad. sheeze