On what will be the 15th year after retiring from the game, Andrew Johns will return as a coaching member of the team he played 249 games for – 250 if we include the 2002 World Club Challenge – and featured in both of the Knights’ historic grand final wins.
For two days a week, Johns will be a halves and attack coach, as well as proceeding with his Channel Nine duties.
I’m absolutely thrilled with this.
Johns will be a great mentor to up-and-coming halves like Jake Clifford and Phoenix Crossland, and there are reports Kalyn Ponga is aiming to one day have another go at five-eighth. It may not have gone to plan in 2019 but with a bit more experience and Johns as a halves coach, the move could truly benefit Ponga’s game.
Kalyn Ponga (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Johns could even teach players what the Newcastle Knights’ winning culture is all about – who better than a player who experienced it himself? Joey and Danny Buderus could team up with that lecture just like they teamed up as a halfback-hooker combination.
With the will to win, fighting games until the final siren, and such a great coaching staff building, the winning culture we once had looks set to be back and now the team’s duty is to own it. Turn Marathon into a fortress once again, a ground at which teams fear playing.
The “Newcastle” chant at home is something I could hear 1000 more times and never get bored of it, as 25,000 Knights fans cheering it loudly make it sound like 200,000.
Roarers, what benefits could the Knights get with Andrew Johns returning?
Matt
Guest
no all they need is a regular halfback
Matt
Guest
what about Roosters 2 x premierships 18-19, Parra 2009 GF Loss, Manly GF loss 2013 all with Johns as Halves coach
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Clifford, Crossland and Ponga mentioned in the article, but no mention of Pierce at all? What am i missing? I’d also be curious to know why he’s no longer working with Parra, his choice or heirs?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The fact that he is being used as a consultant means he is free to ply his trade to other clubs so let's not get too carried away .
Kurt S
Roar Pro
I'd also question whether or not he is the type of mentor that you want at a club. The guy admitted to taking stimulants throughout his career, used blatant and overt racism in team environments when there were indigenous people in his own team and acts like a schoolboy a great deal of the time in his commentary role. There is no doubting his foresight and understanding on the game. But do you want his personal traits rubbing off on a team? Maybe having him as an analyst offsite where he has indirect contact with players might be a better solution.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Who bought this mythical ''winning culture'' thing to the Penny Panthers? Ivan Cleary?
Redcap
Roar Guru
I think the older Johns brother is better coaching material. Didn't he have quite a bit to do with Cooper Cronck's decvelopment? He certainly talks well about halves play on the tele.
Tony
Roar Guru
Every silver lining has a cloud John
Tony
Roar Guru
You can start pencilling in Newcastle's name on that honour role for next year
Lukestar
Roar Rookie
The brothels and pinga dealers around newy will be happy.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
He hasn't taught Moses to take the line one, so Newcastle will be having unrealistic expectations Greatest player to lace on a boot, but isn't much of a coach or commentator
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
They may not be able to teach their instinct for the game but Johns, Smith, Slater and Cronk all have plenty of wisdom about the game, it's structures, tactics and sports psychology that they can share. And yes, I do realise that it is ironic to mention Andrew Johns and psychology in the same sentence and that it is an oxymoron to pair Andrew Johns and wisdom together as well. :silly:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree, playing and coaching are very different jobs. As are playing and commentating, for that matter. That's not to say Johns won't be useful as a part of a coaching team, I'd love to hear his insights into decision making under pressure, game management, etc.
mushi
Roar Guru
Anytime you can add a r syst entitled talent who is on record saying people shouldn't listen to him because he has a tendency to just spew rubbish... you have to take it. That there is the model CV for a leader of young men. The man was a phenomenon as a player but you'd want a narrow area of influence as a coach
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
“I see it as the opposite Gloria” Like I said before Robin, leave the tough issues to Batman and leave the jokes to the Joker! :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
I disagree that its a given that Johns can be a good coach and mentor. Often the supremely talented instinctive athletes really struggle to impart that game awareness and footy smarts to a less talented player. Wally Lewis should have been a super coach, but he struggled with communication and how his players couldn't see what he saw
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Where he hasn't taught a single person a thing about the game of rugby league
Nat
Roar Guru
The red and blue glasses are firmly on with this one Adrian. Do you think Johns is going to teach someone to be Andrew Johns? His best skills weren't his trick shots, it's knowing when to do them and executing it perfectly. If being Andrew Johns was as easy as getting the man into a training camp, would have had 6-7 more Johns' by now. I'm not sure he still represents a winning culture. He has had and continues to have more off field indiscretions than the whole squad combined, inc Pearce. That's the guy you want the social media generation being seen with?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I assume he will remain a member of Channel 9’s commentary team. Unfortunately.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Good luck to Newcastle with this signing. Johns has been employed at Easts and Manly before Parramatta and it's debatable as to the improvement he made to those sides. I always thought the head coach was the main man to get the best out of players like Bennett, Robinson and Bellamy. It won't do any harm having Johns on the payroll but I'll wait and see what results there are.