Joey's on the comeback trail

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Joey's on the comeback trail
| March 12, 2008 12:00am

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ANDREW Johns will re-launch his public profile and embark on the next stage of his career on Friday night, six months after baring his soul during his darkest hour.

Johns will join brother Matthew as a full-time member of Channel 9's nine-strong Friday Night Football commentary team.

He will also make appearances on The Footy Show this year - the program he appeared on last August to confess to years of drug taking, alcohol abuse and depression.

Brother Matthew said their family was amazed by his turn around and was looking forward to helping Andrew establish a new career.

"The big thing for me and the family was what would happen with Andrew six months after (The Footy Show appearance)," Matthew said.

"The important thing is what he would do from then - if you see him now people can't believe how good and fit he looks."
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'I'm no double-agent': Johns
By Andrew Johns | March 12, 2008 12:00am


THERE will be no trade secrets given away this week when Parramatta and the Bulldogs go head-to-head in the opening round of the premiership.
I may be working closely with both sides this season but I'm no double agent. So for anyone thinking that having a foot in the door at both camps will be a conflict of interest on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium - forget it.

There is no way that I would ever consider putting myself in that position.

I've even given up my spot in The Sunday Telegraph's tipping panel just so I don't get anyone's nose out of joint. Finishing near enough to last over the past couple of seasons only made the decision easier.

I'll be seated next to Eels coach Michael Hagan's wife Sue watching the game but in reality, I'll actually be sitting on the fence.

I don't care about the result.

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I'll leave Hages and Folkesy (Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes) to worry about that.

I'll just be focusing on the halves and hookers from both sides to see how they go about putting into practice during a pressure game what we have worked on together during the off-season in training.

It really is that simple.

I haven't spoken to any of the players from either side about the strengths or weaknesses of the opposition and I won't be.

Not for this game. Not when any of the four sides I'm involved with are playing against each other. I'm coaching individuals, not teams.

My objective is to try and help individual players better themselves. Without giving too much away, most of what I'm getting across to them revolves around the game's subtleties.

The way a halfback holds his hands or his body positioning before and after he receives the ball and when he is going to kick. Or the way he addresses the line with his body language in order to get the defence double-guessing.

What they should be thinking about in various parts of the field. That sort of thing.

What I've been doing with someone like Ben Roberts (Bulldogs) is different to what I am showing Feleti Mateo (Eels) because they are different types of players.

What works for some, doesn't work for others.

It depends on the needs of the individual and what the coach wants. My first question to the coaches when I took on the role at their clubs was "what stuff do you want me to work on''.

The challenge has really been to work out how best to put the polish on each of the players simply because everyone is so different.

As for the work I'm doing, it is my dream job to the point where there hasn't even been a moment during the off-season where I wished I was still playing.

The pressure that I used to feel I was under - I don't miss that. I was moody and hard to get along with. My wife Cath and my close mates are all saying that I'm now a different person. Just a lot more relaxed.

I don't want to go back to that pressure. I can't see myself ever wanting to be a head coach.

But I can't wait for the season to start. The beauty for me on Saturday night is I'll feel like I'm a winner whatever happens.
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Matty sure does look dodgy with his long hair. Joey is a nervous customer when it comes to Commentary, should be interesting to see how he goes.
 
Well hopefully now that he's retired he can loosen up a bit and crack some laughs with the boys.
 
Johns: 'I couldn't cope as an NRL coach'
Rugby league great Andrew Johns says he could not handle the pressure of being an NRL coach, and has urged players to wise up and prevent more off-field alcahol-fueld scandals.

The man recently named as the game’s best player of the past 30 years has signed on with Channel Nine’s commentary team, and said he can’t wait for the season to kick off with the local derby between the Roosters and the Rabbitohs on Friday night.

He said the pre-game banter in the media between the clubs has only added to the anticipation for the clash between two of league’s greatest rivals, and laughed off new Rooster Willy Mason’s latest spray – this time against the South Sydney club.

“I can’t believe Willy came out and shot his mouth off, saying he hates Souths. It’s so unlike Willy, making a comment like that,” Johns joked.

“It just adds to the theatre of the game.”

Johns has lent his expertise to former club the Newcastle Knights as well as the Bulldogs and Parramatta in the off-season as a specialist halves coach. But with the ’Dogs and Eels facing off in round one this weekend, Johns insists he has not been used by any club as a “double agent”.

“The coaches don’t ask me what I’m doing with the other lot, and to be honest I only focus on one or two players,” he said.

“I don’t want to be a double agent.”

Johns said he wouldn’t be able to handle the pressure associated with being a first-grade coach.

“No way in the world.

“I don’t see myself as a first-grade coach as such, I just see myself just going in and helping players one-on-one.”

The former halfback, who came clean about his own use of recreational drugs throughout his career last year, said players have to smarten up and stop being involved in the kind of public late-night drunken scandals that have dogged the pre-season.

“It’s a tough one.

“Maybe it’s a time when they have to just say, if I’m going to have drink, I just have to do it at home and not go out.

“Hopefully we can talk about rugby league from now on in, not their antics off the field.”
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I dont think he will ever become a first grade coach! He always say never, when ever he is asked.
 
AussieKnight said:
Matty sure does look dodgy with his long hair. Joey is a nervous customer when it comes to Commentary, should be interesting to see how he goes.
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Haha I agree, he needs a haircut!
 
Good to hear he'll be with Channel 9. Should be good to hear his voice during games and on the footyshow etc.
 
Meh, it was pretty boring. Can't say I even watched it all. Same old stuff. 'That's Gold' even sunk to a new low. The audience hardly cracked a laugh.
 
Yea wasnt the best of starts, but I managed to watch all of it.

Maby the start at the Stadium wasnt such a good idea. It just didnt feel like the Footy show. Maby Next week.
 
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