Eels to sack Johns

[Gronk]

Parramatta to axe Joey Johns as an assistant coach

• James Hooper
• From: The Daily Telegraph
• June 15, 2010 12:22PM

Source: The Daily Telegraph



THE furore surrounding the Andrew Johns racism row continues to rage with Parramatta poised to sack the halfback of the century as a member of the Eels coaching staff.

The Daily Telegraph understands Parramatta power brokers are leaning strongly towards supporting Timana Tahu’s stance on stamping out racism in the NRL, with a decision possibly by the end of today.
The move from the Eels is the latest setback for Johns, who until today has been in hiding after standing down from his role as a Blues assistant coach in the wake of Tahu’s decision to quit the NSW camp.
The under siege rugby league celebrity was snapped by photographers this morning outside his northern beaches home.
Tahu returned to the Eels this season after two unhappy seasons in rugby union and shares an extremely tight-knit bond with powerful figures at the Parramatta club.


On top of the expected snubbing from the Eels coaching staff, Johns has also been hit with fresh allegations he allegedly made insulting remarks about Queensland’s Israel Folau.
Initially accused of labelling Maroons centre Greg Inglis a “b*** c***”, insiders close to Tahu have suggested the offensive conduct from Johns was not confined to just one isolated incident.
AFL defector Folau is of Polynesian heritage and The Daily Telegraph understands Johns also made a derogatory comment in relation to the Maroons winger.
The comments from Johns have turned the Blues preparations into a complete catastrophe as NSW stare down the barrel of losing a record five straight Origin series

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-assistant-coach/story-e6frexni-1225879885746

 

[Mr Saab]

He will have to be sacked from the eels...and it wont be the last job he loses over this.

 

[PJ Marshal]

bet the dogs dont sack him tho

 

[Gronk]

It's quite amazing how the media can give situations like this momentum to the point where clubs, companies or political parties need to make decisive action to thwart unwanted press. His brother was a prime example of a massive over reaction fueled by the media.

Not sure if sacking Joey is the right move so quick and wonder if it was done with consultation with Tahu or the other players ?

 

[Suitman]

It's quite amazing how the media can give situations like this momentum to the point where clubs, companies or political parties need to make decisive action to thwart unwanted press. His brother was a prime example of a massive over reaction fueled by the media.

Not sure if sacking Joey is the right move so quick and wonder if it was done with consultation with Tahu or the other players ?

Not saying it's not warranted, but this is a disappointing result. Surely mediation was the go.
I'd have preferred he was sacked due to his lack of progress with our halves over the past two seasons to be honest.

Suity

 

[Jake the snake]

They should try and work it out. Everyone deserves a second chance.

 

[Parra Guru]

I've got faith that they will make the right decision by the team and club.

Remembering that we do have a few polynesian boys in our squad aside from Hayne and Tahu. I'm sure it's not a decision they are taking lightly.

 

[fish eel]

TBH, I think his position was probably untenable, however I agree with Suit some type of mediation would have been the way to go for the long term benefit and that a performance based sacking is probably warranted as well.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'd still support the club in it's decision however I would of much rather of them atleast explore a mediation process before hand, and possibly even conduct their own investigation..

 

[parra-matters]

had to happen really. I hope Tahu and Johns settle their differences and put it behind them but there is no place for Johns in a club enviroment now IMO.

 

[strider]

I don't know how friendly Johns and Tahu were before all this??? - its been said they are "long time friends" .... if thats the case then it confuses me a fair bit cos I am quite amazed anyone would put someone who's their "friend" in this deep no matter what the circumstances (apart from some substantial crime) - I would have thought more effort would be made to sort things privately ..... i dunno - maybe they aren't really mates

 

[Suitman]

had to happen really. I hope Tahu and Johns settle their differences and put it behind them but there is no place for Johns in a club enviroment now IMO.

As long as he speaks like that, there's no place for him anywhere.
But why can't he be given the chance and education to learn from this and even, god forbid, become a role model against racism in the future.
For me, that would be a far more acceptable and productive result than just pissing him off.

Suity

 

[Parra Guru]

Maybe because it's Andrew Johns and he doesn't seem to ever have to face any consequences professionally?

The guys had enough chances. I don't mind whether they keep him or not, but if they choose to chop him without mediation, he can suck it up IMO.

 

[Suitman]

Maybe because it's Andrew Johns and he doesn't seem to ever have to face any consequences professionally?

The guys had enough chances. I don't mind whether they keep him or not, but if they choose to chop him without mediation, he can suck it up IMO.

Then what does he, or anyone else learn from this?
Surely it's better that all parties been seen offering a united front against this issue? Surely that deals with the issue in a more fruitful way?
I understand why you feel like that about Johns though. I've had a gutfull of him as well.

Suity

 

[spartan2153]

Maybe because it's Andrew Johns and he doesn't seem to ever have to face any consequences professionally?

The guys had enough chances. I don't mind whether they keep him or not, but if they choose to chop him without mediation, he can suck it up IMO.

This is the best post of the day. The guy was a junkie for most of his playing career but people turned a blind eye because of who he is.

Enough is enough. He continually bites the hand that feeds him.

To be honest he is overated as a halves coach. Him talking about the game ^ then liisteniing to sterlo. They are worlds apart & i hope the club explores bring in sterling as some type of specialist coach for our halves

 

[Joely01]

no,no,no,no,no. Let Tahu and Johns sort it out, no doubt they will.
Our halves need all the experiance and help they can get at the moment and Andrew Johns is the greatest halfback ever.

 

[Kornstar]

The guy was a junkie for most of his playing career

Junkie? Do you know the meaning of junkie?

 

[DeanPay98]

This is a tough one. We're all capable of racism and Johns has owned up to it and apologised openly for it.

But on the other hand it should never have happened in the first place and we have heaps of Aboriginal and Polynesian players at the club and as supporters. We have to think about their feelings and not in any way alienate a major part of our fan base.

If Johns did some work to advocate anti-racism that would be good. Maybe we could suspend rather than terminate his services?

What happened was bad. But there are ways of handling it as mature adults. We can turn it into a lose-lose situation and go after Andrew Johns. Or we can turn it into a win-win situation and bring Johns and hopefully others in to the fold. Its pretty obvious after this that the mainstream opinion in the NRL is anti-racism. We need to build on that in a positive way.

 

[Springs]

Mediation would be the best option. And if the players do not want him sacked, then don't sack him. Don't just sack him because of bad press or whatever.

 

[Suitman]

Good to see that so many think mediation is the best option. I can't see that any other option is a solution.

Suity