I won't quit but...
By Barry Toohey
August 06, 2006 12:00
Article from: The Daily Telegraph
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ANDREW Johns has refuted any suggestion he is considering retirement at the end of the season but has admitted he was thinking of ending his career at the Knights without the added burden of the captaincy.
"I'm playing again next season without a doubt," he said.
"Beyond that, I'm still not sure. I've signed for 2008 but I've told the Knights I will let theclub know around the middle of next year and it will probably depend on how the body feels.
"As for the captaincy, it is something I am thinking about - whether to keep doing it or handing it off to Bedsy (Danny Buderus) next year."
The game's best player also claimed:
Bulldogs prop Roy Asotasi is now the premier front-rower in the game and among the top five players in the Telstra Cup.
Melbourne are the NRL's best team.
The game is now quicker and more physically demanding than ever but not as skilful.
The Knights have to find 10 per cent improvement across the board to be a serious title threat.
Best five players:
"In no particular order, my best this year are Roy Asotasi, Cameron Smith, Buderus, Mark Gasnier and Ben Kennedy.
"Asotasi is the best prop in the game at the moment. He has speed, power, footwork and is developing his ball skills and isan outstanding signing for the Rabbitohs.
"Smith has all the skills and can play hooker, halfback, five-eighth. He can kick in general play, is a top goal-kicker and is a huge influence on Storm.
"Bedsy and BK (Kennedy) are similar in that I haven't seen players with the courage, tenacity and sheer competitiveness they possess to play at the peak of their games just about every week."
Best team:
"How can you go past Melbourne, who are redefining the way teams play through their hunger and the precise way they go ahead with their business by working as one unit.
"They are near impregnable in Melbourne and in the form they have been in, it is going to take an exceptional performance from a rival team to beat them in the big games ahead."
Standard:
"David Gallop and the boys don't have too much to worry about. Maybe the skill levels have dropped a little but the game is faster and more physical than ever."
Knights:
"We started on fire but hit a rut which we are working our way out of. To win it, we'll have to find an extra 10 per cent across the board to compete with the likes of the Storm and Bulldogs down the stretch."
Own form:
"Similar to the team in many respects and I really struggled for motivation mid-season. But I'm snapping out of it after an attitude re-adjustment and looking forward to the charge to the playoffs.
"I'm not playing as well individually as I have done but I'd like to think I'm still contributing well to the team."
Brian Smith:
"I haven't spoken to Brian at all about next season yet and I haven't thought too much about it to be honest.
"But he is a great student of the game who has had a lot of success. He will come here with different ideas and I'm certain there will be things I can learn from him.
"Michael Hagan has been a great coach for the club and a great personal friend of mine and that won't change. He will be a success at Parramatta."
Captaincy:
"It is something I am thinking about tossing in. I still love the training and playing but the other stuff, the added pressure and the scrutiny which comes with being captain I could probably do without.
"I'll talk to Brian and Bedsy about it to see what they think. Maybe it is time for Bedsy to take some of the heat."
England:
"Going back to Warrington to end my career when it's all over here is a strong possibility - but it depends on how the body is. If I went over there again, it would only be to Warrington. I only played three games with them but I still keep in touch with a few of the boys."
