Johns in rage over sledge on his sister
Newcastle matchwinner Andrew Johns had one of the finest weeks of his career ruined by a deeply insulting on-field sledge from Mark Riddell that has him seeing red.
Johns, still fuming about the sledge that targeted his sister Kate, was refusing to speak to the media about what was said.
Andrew Voss of Channel Nine asked Johns about the sledge after the match on Friday night, but Johns refused to comment. He did not return calls yesterday.
Johns told teammates in the Newcastle rooms on Friday night that he would square up with Riddell, who showed "no f---ing respect".
In an amazing show of emotion, even for the highly charged Johns, he ran at least 20 metres down the field to push Riddell in the back of the head.
It is believed Riddell was responding to a comment from Johns about his recent weight gain.
"Joey called him a fat c--- and then Mark went at him about his sister," one Dragons player said.
It is understood Johns was still hurt by the comment yesterday and won't be easy to bring around.
Riddell rang Johns's brother Matthew to let him know he was sorry for his comment.
"Mark rang up and said he regretted what was said," Matthew said.
"I could tell he was sincere in what he said and he meant it.
"I think what was said happened in the heat of the moment. He wants me to pass on his apology to Andrew and I'll be doing that when I speak to him.
"I know that the comments that were made were of a very personal nature and I can understand exactly why Andrew was upset by the whole thing.
"He would have taken some satisfaction out of the win."
Matthew Johns told 2SM the sledging from Riddell would have inspired a tired Andrew to lift his side to victory.
Riddell was staying quiet about what he had said to enrage the NSW skipper.
"Mate, what happens on the field stays on the field," he said.
"I won't be saying what happened. Anything that is said out there should be between the players.
"I don't have any drama with Joey, none at all. I don't know what he is feeling because I have not talked to him."
Riddell was one of the Dragons players involved a few weeks ago in some heavy sledging of Bulldogs five-eighth Braith Anasta which resulted in Anasta's wanting to dispel a rumour about him and his girlfriend Candice Falzon.
Dragons players were trying to suggest that Falzon had been unfaithful to Anasta after Brett Finch had spent the night at her family home. The truth of the matter is that Anasta was also at home, and so was Falzon's brother.
"People just like to make up crap about us and it is ridiculous," Anasta said.
"It's very disappointing."
- The Sun-Herald
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OK..... Its only the media. But didn't Glenn McGrath cop heaps for losing the plot not long ago?
Like McGrath, Johns started the sledging.
:lol:
