My Fear for Andrew Johns

[Broncodroid]

Andrew Johns at his brilliant best, is without doubt, the best Rugby League player I have ever seen on the football field without question. Some former players, respected media journo's and fans who have seen the like of Churchill, Fulton, Raper, Lewis and co. play have gone on record as saying this when he was at his prime.

Andrew Johns has done everything there is to do in Rugby League. Look at this impressive resume:

* 209 Games for Newcastle with some 1800+ points
* 2 premierships 1997, 2001
* 21 Games for NSW 1995-2002
* 18 Tests 1995-2003
* World Cups 1995, 2000
* Kangaroo Tour 2001

Johns has captained his club, country, NSW, Australia, he won the Dally M medal 3 years straight (would of been 4 if he had not been for a ridiculous rule that has now been overturned, sorry Preston, it's true) and has picked up every other individual award the game has to offer. This guy will be joining the Immortals first chance for eligibility.

What could I possibly fear ? We are talking about perhaps the greatest player I will ever see grace the field ?

Andrew Johns, apart from the neck injury, the back injury, is coming back from a knee reconstruction that at age 30, poses the threat of diminishing the skills of perhaps the games finest ever player.

May 19 2005, Andrew Johns turns 31 facing the prospect of carrying the load of a rather ordinary looking Newcastle Knights team going off 2004 form. Yes, they had injuries, so did alot of the teams in the competition, but the Knights were at times pathetic.

The Newcastle public, the Rugby League loving fans from all clubs, are wanting to see Joey Johns return as dominant as he once was. We want to get that feeling we got everytime he touched the ball, the feeling of 'something great is gonna' happen!' and Johns will recognise this unwarranted pressure. But what are we to do ? He has set such a high bar for himself, that anything below that will see him labelled as a failure by SOME fans and of course the media who like to dig the heel in when one of Australia's sporting icons is on the ground.

My fear is that Andrew Johns will NOT be the player I, as of right now, remember him. My fear is he will struggle, he will not sit atop the halfback tree and will not play at a level where he is the first player chosen in any rep team. No, I am not a New South Welshman, I should not be the carer, but as I have said on this forum, I am a Rugby League fan first, Bronco / Queenslander second and I have the upmost respect for Andrew Johns the Rugby League player.

I mentioned in a thread in the Cricket forum that I learnt a valuable lesson watching Kieran Perkins swim in the 1996 1500m final..."Never write off a champion!". That day I saw perhaps the greatest Aussie swimmer of all time (until some guy named Thorpe come along) come from lane 8 with everyone but a handful writing him off to win an improbable golf. Am I writing off Andrew Johns ? No.

I believe Johns will still have an impact similar to when Laurie Daley and Terry Lamb played on one knee for the last years of their careers, but I am a born realist and it is hard for me to forsee Johns catching the likes of Gower and Orford then tangling with the emerging stars of tomorrow like Head, Williams and Finch coming out on top like we are accustomed too for 26 rounds.

With Fittler riding off into the sunset, Johns stands alone with perhaps Lockyer and Webcke as the 3 remaining modern day greats in the game. My hope is when it is all said and done, journo's, the fans, Johns's peers are not asking, 'Should he have come back at all ?'.

 

[Raider_69]

You left a few of his traits out

- he is a wanker
- he is a wanker
- he is over-rated as a player
- he will go ordinary next season
- he is a wanker
- he won at least the eqivilent of one of those Dally M's off the back of the media frenzy that love him
- he is a real massive wanker
- he hasnt been the same since Matty Johns left newcastle


ohh and did i mention that he is a wanker?

 

[strong_latte]

You left a few of his traits out

- he is a wanker
- he is a wanker
- he is over-rated as a player
- he will go ordinary next season
- he is a wanker
- he won at least the eqivilent of one of those Dally M's off the back of the media frenzy that love him
- he is a real massive wanker
- he hasnt been the same since Matty Johns left newcastle


ohh and did i mention that he is a wanker?

At least he's not a bulldog

 

[Broncodroid]

You left a few of his traits out

- he is a wanker
- he is a wanker
- he is over-rated as a player
- he will go ordinary next season
- he is a wanker
- he won at least the eqivilent of one of those Dally M's off the back of the media frenzy that love him
- he is a real massive wanker
- he hasnt been the same since Matty Johns left newcastle


ohh and did i mention that he is a wanker?

How many of your 16,000+ posts are actually worth reading it must be said ?

I will ask a rhetorical question to the Admin team...if there was no such thing as posts counts, would members willing to bring intelligent, thoughtful posts have to put up with such jibberish ?

[Where is this so called 'ignore' button]

 

[bluesbreaker]

You left a few of his traits out

- he is a wanker
- he is a wanker
- he is over-rated as a player
- he will go ordinary next season
- he is a wanker
- he won at least the eqivilent of one of those Dally M's off the back of the media frenzy that love him
- he is a real massive wanker
- he hasnt been the same since Matty Johns left newcastle


ohh and did i mention that he is a wanker?

How many of your 16,000+ posts are actually worth reading it must be said ?

I will ask a rhetorical question to the Admin team...if there was no such thing as posts counts, would members willing to bring intelligent, thoughtful posts have to put up with such jibberish ?

[Where is this so called 'ignore' button]

I like you Miamiasaurus...

Raider69, Johns' best season was far and away 2001, where he carved all and sundry up (even more than usual) with a useless f**king 5/8th. Keep it closed.

And i'll bet money you've never met Johns, and you're just one of those people who has a 'friend' who's saw him in Newcastle causing trouble... Every time he goes out people try to start fights with him, i've seen it happen at least 3 times at the Cranker.

 

[Pierced Soul]

yeah there's always the chance that he wont be as dominant, in fact I'm sure he wont be but he's creative and a great thinker of the game. Buderus said in RLW that Johns had the last year to sit down and watch how things have changed and come up with new ideas.

the great players re-invent themselves and find new ways of staying in the game.

 

[bubs]

I certainly do not agree with some of your thoughts, even if they are well written.

Andrew Johns is a thug. Pure and simple.
That forearm dropped onto Adam Dykes at Toyota Park that cost him the Dally M was very blatent. I feel the rule about no suspensions for the year to qualify should stand (in my opinion).
Walking out of the judiciary on that night in question, he was photographed head down, acting upset about everything. He certainly knows when there is a camera around. And he is quick to act up to the cameras.
He complains and get upset when things are not going his way. And when things don't go his way, he lashes out with cheap shots.
Agreed, he is under a lot of pressure but there is no excuse for niggly thuggish behaviour. EVER.

 

[Azkatro]

I'll be interested to see Johns' return next season. In my opinion, he hasn't done enough to warrant being an Immortal - implied or otherwise. All I see him as is a talented athlete who has very fine football skills.

I don't believe he is inventive or innovative, regardless of idiots who try and tell you he invented the banana kick. As far as having such a good passing and kicking game, that's nothing Ricky Stuart wasn't doing 5-10 years previously.

The verbal accolades he receives in the papers and on the television are - in my opinion - part and parcel of being the game's "marquee" player. The NRL formed in 1998 and let's face it, is run like a business. I'm quite sure that the powers that be decided they needed a positive face for the game and they nominated the upcoming superstar Andrew Johns to be that face. For the good of the game, the plaudits rain compliments down on his abilities.

But I just don't think he is *that* special, to be associated with the Immortals. I believe the Immortals represent players that had a kind of X-factor that gave them the ability to do something special in a game that *could not* be defended against or countered in any way. Andrew Johns plays well at his best, but he just doesn't quite have that "ungodly" magic about him. He just has exceptionally good skills and is the game's marquee player.

Which is why I'm interested in seeing how he goes next year. Mal Meninga went through two broken arms in his absolute prime and had the kind of career he's had - and still isn't even an Immortal. Johns still has time to pull out some of the "ungodly" magic that the plaudits seem to think he has. If he does, I'll likely change my tune. But until then, he's just another Ricky Stuart for me.

 

[macavity]

bubs, be careful of saddle sores up on that high horse.

raider, I think you have just proven who actually is a wanker..... :roll:

 

[Kiwi]

My greatest fear for Andrew Johns is that his ego will cause his head to explode or whilst limping around the field when the going gets tough he'll actually get injured.

 

[rossy]

I can't think of anyone who would not want a fit Andrew Johns in their side. He has an understanding of the game that is both scholarly & instinctive. He enjoys the game and although when he is lining up on the opposite team you fear or loathe him for what he can do, it would be insane to suggest that he is not one of the best footballers of the past thirty years. He can run, he can kick, he can pass and boy, can he tackle. Criticism of Andrew Johns's ability is only from people who'd boo Santa Claus.

 

[Kiwi]

I can't think of anyone who would not want a fit Andrew Johns in their side. He has an understanding of the game that is both scholarly & instinctive. He enjoys the game and although when he is lining up on the opposite team you fear or loathe him for what he can do, it would be insane to suggest that he is not one of the best footballers of the past thirty years. He can run, he can kick, he can pass and boy, can he tackle. Criticism of Andrew Johns's ability is only from people who'd boo Santa Claus.

I would never want Johns in my teams side. We have always had a better player than Johns as far as i'm concerned in Langer and now Lockyer. Both better players, better captains and better people, no need to have a selfish over rated injury prone bighead.

 

[CouldaBeenAnything]

I can't think of anyone who would not want a fit Andrew Johns in their side. He has an understanding of the game that is both scholarly & instinctive. He enjoys the game and although when he is lining up on the opposite team you fear or loathe him for what he can do, it would be insane to suggest that he is not one of the best footballers of the past thirty years. He can run, he can kick, he can pass and boy, can he tackle. Criticism of Andrew Johns's ability is only from people who'd boo Santa Claus.

Agreed...there isn't a side he wouldn't add a lot to.

 

[Azkatro]

I can't think of anyone who would not want a fit Andrew Johns in their side. He has an understanding of the game that is both scholarly & instinctive. He enjoys the game and although when he is lining up on the opposite team you fear or loathe him for what he can do, it would be insane to suggest that he is not one of the best footballers of the past thirty years. He can run, he can kick, he can pass and boy, can he tackle. Criticism of Andrew Johns's ability is only from people who'd boo Santa Claus.

I agree with your sentiments. But you'd have said exactly the same things about Ricky Stuart or Laurie Daley ten years ago. You could say those things about at least 20 different players from the last thirty years.

 

[rossy]

Maybe, but I do think he has a little something special that Daley, Stuart, Langer, Lockyer and Fittler don't have. He'd easily be top ten, that'd be for sure.

 

[Ryan_Loves_Broncos]

Doesn't even come close to Langer or Lewis. Maybe if he hadn't been injured his whole career, but he will never be an immortal.

 

[borat]

I can't think of anyone who would not want a fit Andrew Johns in their side. He has an understanding of the game that is both scholarly & instinctive. He enjoys the game and although when he is lining up on the opposite team you fear or loathe him for what he can do, it would be insane to suggest that he is not one of the best footballers of the past thirty years. He can run, he can kick, he can pass and boy, can he tackle. Criticism of Andrew Johns's ability is only from people who'd boo Santa Claus.

I would never want Johns in my teams side. We have always had a better player than Johns as far as i'm concerned in Langer and now Lockyer. Both better players, better captains and better people, no need to have a selfish over rated injury prone bighead.

yeah, langer has as much chance of being an immortal as Reg Raegan.
Its good to see your writing Johns off when he still has 2 years remaining in the game too. Good call. Johns is hands down the most talented player in the game over at least the last 25 years and still has the opportunity to go out an immortal if injury doesn't rob him of that chance.

You Broncos supporters live in you own little shortsighted world. :!:

 

[stubbsie]

Andrew Johns has done everything there is to do in Rugby League. Look at this impressive resume:

* 209 Games for Newcastle with some 1800+ points
* 2 premierships 1997, 2001
* 21 Games for NSW 1995-2002
* 18 Tests 1995-2003
* World Cups 1995, 2000
* Kangaroo Tour 2001

That's why i thought he was going to go to Union he has done everything in Rugby League.

 

[Ryan_Loves_Broncos]

The reason I don't think he's immotal status is becasue when his team is getting beaten he goes quiet. Doesn't touch the ball or anything. Now this is much different to say, Wally Lewis who would do the unthinkable and get his team back in the game.

 

[borat]

The reason I don't think he's immotal status is becasue when his team is getting beaten he goes quiet. Doesn't touch the ball or anything. Now this is much different to say, Wally Lewis who would do the unthinkable and get his team back in the game.

You are kidding right? Wally Lewis played many outstanding games for QLD, Australia & his QLD club side but never set the house on for for the Broncos or Gold Coast. Andrew Johns has the skills to change a game on his own. Wether its his kicking game or passing game or his step. As good as Wally was he never had the skills to turn a game on his own when the rest of the team were preforming badly. What made lewis an immortal was that it didn't matter what his club form was like he always stood up when it counted and performed at a very high level over a long time. Wether Johns becomes an immortal or not will depend on how he goes in the next 2 years. If has has 2 more injury prone years he won't stand a chance but if he is able to recapture his form for necastle, NSW & Australia he will be.