Andrew Johns is Killing The Knights

[antonius]

After virtually telling the Knights last week that a two year contract with the club was a done deal, and signing was a formality, we find Barry Toohey reporting today that his manager has been negotiating yet again with union, figures around $600,000 to $800,000 (if he makes the Wallabies) being quoted, and that Johns is again interested. Add to that the fact that he isn't answering Hagans phone calls and you have to think there's a lot of cred in Tooheys column.While all this farting about is going on, the Knights are sitting on their hands with other players waiting for an answer. With all the injury crisis in the club, the loss of Kennedy, and possibly Tahu, Ennis and a couple of other players, The Johns circus just rolls along, doing more damage to the already low moral in the club. Meanwhile any hope of getting a reasonable replacement is slipping away by the day, Firman has gone to the Roosters, Matt Orford is still available but for how long. It's time for the Knights to tell Johns give us an answer or the deals off. His antics over the last few weeks have done him no favours with the fans of the club who are starting to get sick of his prima-donna attitude. For me he's just proving what I have always thought of him as a human being was correct.

 

[ibeme]

He thinks he's bigger than the game. His best football is behind him, and the Knights would be doing themselves a favour by withdrawing their offer if he doesn't reply by the end of this weekend. The NRL should also issue a warning that they will not register him as a player if he doesn't provide an answer soon. That does two things. It forces his hand, and it threatens to bring his price right down if rugby's his only option.

 

[El Diablo]

2GB said his manager sent a sms saying he only had an offer from the Knights or something.

 

[ibeme]

2GB said his manager sent a sms saying he only had an offer from the Knights or something.

What does that mean?

Have the Warratahs pulled out?

 

[El Diablo]

I think Hadley said all the Union offers were media speculation.

 

[gaterooze]

The Union "offers" are possibly just them desperately trying to drum up some -- ANY -- publicity for Union in the midst of Origin fever.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if Joey did make a switch. Nor would I give a sh!t at this point, frankly. I'd be happy to see him go, the way he's been dicking the Knights (and League) around.

(by the same token -- who knows what is really happening, all we've had is media speculation... so maybe I'm being to quick to judge him)

 

[next knights half]

if joey goes to union how bad would that look after coming out and saying iam sticking with league

 

[League Freak™]

For me this whole thing has proven one point....


We need to have central contracts for our very best players.


Im not talking about every Origin or even every Test player. Im talking about the very best of the best.


As yourself how much Darren Lockyer is worth to the game. Just think about it.....he is an icon of the game. He represents the whole sport. He is the face of Queensland Rugby League. He is a tallent that CAN NOT be lost.


Players like Lockyer and John deserve to be paid their true worth on and off the field. When these guys play, ratings are higher, attendances are higher and the media created is much greater.


Also central contracts fromj say the ARL being given to the very elite players in the game would halt top players retireing from rep football.


Brad Fittler may be getting on....but you cant tell me Origin wasnt just a bit more special with a true legend out there once again mixing it with the best.

 

[Knightmare]

As a Knights fan, I seriously wouldn't be too concerned if Bucketarse goes. He's a bloody fantastic player, no doubt, but in the past few seasons he's proved himself to be a tad injury-prone, and he's nearing the end of his career. The number 7 looks mighty fine on Kurt Gidley's back anyway, mighty fine....

 

[keeney]

man you're so right on that courtney elridge thing....

 

[rugged]

Johns would be mad not to consider taking a squillion dollars when in all probability he's only got 6 months of football left in him.

 

[miladi]

All of this above is speculation. Of course, having an already negative bias against Johns makes it easier for some people to believe. Maybe he will prove you correct and turn out to be the money hungry, disloyal jerk you write of him as being. On the other hand, there could also be a lot more involved than any of us know about.

Until the final decisions are made and announced by a truly reliable source, this speculation and vituperative outpouring does no one any good.

The media is doing its job. Reporting truth? No, selling newspapers. If you want to believe all they write is solid truth, I have a couple of bridges you might be interested in...........................................

 

[antonius]

Your support of him is nice miladi. Lets hope it's justified, The lack of any action on Johns part is what I'm refering to more than anything. Weather he stays or goes really is starting to become a side issue, it's more the effect his lack of indication has on the club, and the rest of the players that are off contract sitting around waiting for him to make up his mind so they know where they are at. As for Bridges... :|

 

[Freak]

Any chance he's off to the roosters with a C9 promise from uncle Kerry!!

 

[miladi]

Antonius

It is not a matter of supporting him, I just get uncomfortable with the amount of anger on here some times. Especially as no one really knows what is going through another person's mind. There are so many factors involved even though to many of us it seems as simple as sign or don't sign. Having been on the receiving end myself of some pretty nasty serves by people who didn't know the whole story, I tend to stick up for most people when I feel they are being judged by people who may not be in possession of all the relevant facts.

I would rather be laughed at for having stood up for someone and been wrong, than to have condemned them and then made to look a fool when the truth was known.

Anyway, I have had my 2 cents worth, and thank you for the kind reply.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

No way could the roosters afford him... Plus they have a ton of halves...

Wing, finch, dorn, firman....

 

[taxidriver]

For me this whole thing has proven one point....


We need to have central contracts for our very best players.

Sorry to say it but I doubt the NRL could take on the ARU if it got to that stage.

 

[JK]

Andrew Johns is saving league by draining the ARU of its World Cup largesse. Even though the majority of the money comes from outside sources combine the waratah contract with the tuquri, sailor and rogers contracts and we are killing them!

Less ARU money to realy take over the domestic market.

 

[antonius]

Antonius

It is not a matter of supporting him, I just get uncomfortable with the amount of anger on here some times. Especially as no one really knows what is going through another person's mind. There are so many factors involved even though to many of us it seems as simple as sign or don't sign. Having been on the receiving end myself of some pretty nasty serves by people who didn't know the whole story, I tend to stick up for most people when I feel they are being judged by people who may not be in possession of all the relevant facts.

I would rather be laughed at for having stood up for someone and been wrong, than to have condemned them and then made to look a fool when the truth was known.

Anyway, I have had my 2 cents worth, and thank you for the kind reply.

I guess I'm angry at what I see happening to the club I support, I don't appologise for that. As for being on the recieving end of nasty serves I have formed my opinion of Johns as a bloke from first hand experience, great footballer he may be, on the level of life ethics, well that's something else, lets say I've seen people on the recieving end of some of his serves.

 

[miladi]

Fair enough. I bow to your personal superior knowledge.