Andrew Johns

Friday, March 7, 2008

RALPH has the last word with rugby league legend, Andrew Johns who talks about his brother, retirement and depression.

Growing up with Matt
Cessnock was a great place to grow up – all we did was play footy. The house we grew up in was on a main road. One of my favourite memories is when Matty used to say to me, "Give me five minutes then go look out of mum and dad's bedroom window." I'd do as he said and there he was, on the side of the road in mum's bikini hitchhiking.

Retirement
I'm loving it. There isn't the pressure to win games week in, week out. Being captain, you feel the weight of loses. After 17 years playing professionally it's great to focus on the family, rather than juggling between footy and home. I do miss the enjoyment of playing and the adrenaline rush that comes with that. Also, the camaraderie of being on the field with your mates.

Depression
I hope that my coming out about bipolar makes it easier for other people to open up about it. My quality of life has improved out of sight – I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Yes, it is hard to talk about, but your true friends will support you.

Was Andrew Johns a better player than Wally Lewis? Leave your comment below.

User comments

Hi Andew I have a son who has a bioplar I find out very hard to deal about his mental illness. Can you tell me what medication you on and how you handle the bioplar please. I need a advice from you how can I help my son please I appriciate for that. Thank you. TP

joey is without a doubt the worlds best ever league player. he is an absolute legend of a bloke and has his flaws like any other human. his honesty is something to be looked up upon. he is an absolute legend, and to say he is a drug cheat is wrong because they weren't performance enhancing. he is an absolute champion of league..

turn it up! at least joey johns told the truth and said he took drugs whilst playing. that takes a set of nuts if you ask me and to be diagnosed with bi-polar that would have to be hard to live with. joey is a great footballer and knows the game inside and out. give the guy a break and let joey live his life! cheers leecey. by the way I am Knights fan and proud to be.

I don't think you can compare two very different players from two very different eras. Wally is and will always be The King and Joey is and will always be a total freak of nature when it comes to being such a great footballer. They both have done such wonders for the sport and will always be remember for many years to come. So who is the best, I guess it depends on what side of the border you live on!!!

as good as he was the truth is he used drugs .Then gets made hero not what i call a role model Now dont you think the young ones are going to say if he can and nothing happens we can .Bottom line he cheated!

Pippen just fixing your spelling error!! I take it you are on mind altering substances to improve ya performance. . . Looks like it did not work well for you either lol. . . . . . How can a drug cheat still be involved in the greastest game of all. My children will always know the drug truth. . . Long Live King Wally!!

It looks like your guide dog must be one of Joey's dealers!! Long Live King Wally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wally is KING, Joey is a DRUG CHEAT LOSER!! Any Questions

Queensland may have a King But Newcastle, NSW and Australia has GOD........How can you compare the brillance of Joey with Bolly O' I mean Wally. Wally is no match against Joey Johns, Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny or Mal Meninga. The only thing Wally did was work his big mouth. His teams mates did all the work. Joey Johns is the greatest player ever, no other compares to his statue in football. Also the statue outside Suncorp Stadium should be Mal Meninga not Wally. Queenslanders Mal was and still is the greatest footballer from Queensland. Give him a statue!!!!!!!!!!! NSW give" GOD" Joey a Statue.

What is wrong with the people of Australia, who still see Andrew Johns as a Australian Hero? Joey Johns confessed on National TV, that he 'had a drug problem and was addicted' yet people seem to forget that. Imagine what the up and coming footballers see .... Joey Johns the football hero .... NOT the Joey Johns DRUG ADDICT, SHAME on you parents who allow your children to hero worship anyone who gives out the image that almost anything is OK, if your a HERO.

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