Andrew "Joey" Johns retires

[TroyGFC]

Very sad news for Newcastle's fans, Joey just retired effective immediately due to neck injury.
Didn't his brother Matty "Reg Reagan" retire due to same problem?

[TroyGFC]

Injured Johns retires

April 10, 2007 04:00pm
ANDREW Johns, the greatest rugby league player in the world, has quit rugby league after meeting with his doctor and management today.
'The former NSW and Australian Test captain called an end to his stellar career following hours of talks with leading spinal specialist Professor John Yeo today.
Johns, 32, underwent CAT scans this morning after aggravating a previous neck injury at training last Thursday in a collision with Newcastle team-mates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.
"I'm still in shock," said Johns of his decision.
"I was in shock when it happened, just totally numb.
"It was really tough telling my family.
"I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew and it was even tougher talking to the players this afternoon.
"I think the time's right."
Newcastle captain Johns labelled his two premierships won with the Knights in 1997 and 2001 as the standout moments of his career, which began with his NRL debut against Gold Coast at Seagulls Stadium in 1993.
He played 23 State of Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in 21 Test matches, including the 1995 World Cup and the 2001 Kangaroo tour.
Johns ends his career as the greatest pointscorer in NRL history with 2176 points from 249 first grade games with the Knights.

[Thiele]

Thanks for all the wonderful Memories Joey

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Injured Johns retires

April 10, 2007 04:00pm
ANDREW Johns, the greatest rugby league player in the world, has quit rugby league after meeting with his doctor and management today.
'The former NSW and Australian Test captain called an end to his stellar career following hours of talks with leading spinal specialist Professor John Yeo today.
Johns, 32, underwent CAT scans this morning after aggravating a previous neck injury at training last Thursday in a collision with Newcastle team-mates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.
"I'm still in shock," said Johns of his decision.
"I was in shock when it happened, just totally numb.
"It was really tough telling my family.
"I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew and it was even tougher talking to the players this afternoon.
"I think the time's right."
Newcastle captain Johns labelled his two premierships won with the Knights in 1997 and 2001 as the standout moments of his career, which began with his NRL debut against Gold Coast at Seagulls Stadium in 1993.
He played 23 State of Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in 21 Test matches, including the 1995 World Cup and the 2001 Kangaroo tour.
Johns ends his career as the greatest pointscorer in NRL history with 2176 points from 249 first grade games with the Knights.

...In your words?

[Strawb]

No Matty retired due to the knights not offering him a new contract and he didn't want to play for anyone else but the Knights. It is such a shame that one of the true greats had to retire due to injury like this.

[Wedgie]

I watched his last game in full watching the Raiders maul the Knights 8 days ago!
Joey was an awesome player who was unfairly targetted during his career because of his brilliance in being able to win again almost single handedly.
I hope his retirement is pain free and he isn't crippled later in life.

[Il Duce]

No Matty retired due to the knights not offering him a new contract and he didn't want to play for anyone else but the Knights. It is such a shame that one of the true greats had to retire due to injury like this.

Matthew johns didnt retire after he left the knights, he went and played for wigan in the english super league for a season, then came back and played for cronulla for a season. He retired when a shoulder injury forced him to at the end of the 2002 season

[Il Duce]

joey johns all the respect in the world for a fantastic player, one of the greatest ever in the sport.

[Strawb]

my bad wharf side he did play for wigan my mistake

[TroyGFC]

I guess there is a seat waiting for him on the footy show. Might have to stay awake to watch it this week but 11:30 is a bit late!!

[GWW]

Amazing how arguably the 2 best players of the last 15 years in both Aussie Rules (Carey) and RL (Johns) retired due to a neck injury.

[Magpiespower]

Few players - in any sport - have dominated like Joey Johns.

Only a matter of time before he joins Churchill, Gasnier, Raper, Fulton, Langlands, Beetson and King Wally as an IMMORTAL.

His retirement poses a few worries for Newcastle and New South Wales...

[THE CHIEF]

What can I say about such a great player and bloke. I was privilage to watch this magician ply his trade with my much loved Knights on numerous occasions and meet him in person a few timesas well. Iremember his first season when this plucky kid down the road from Cessnock caused a stir by dying his hair bright red then proceeded to dismantle whoever we played that day. I have a feeling it may have been Canterbury. This kid was out there running amok and he was one of us. To his gutsy performance in the '97 gf against Manly when he took to the field with a punctured lung and changed the tide of the game and gave off that pass to Darren Albert to win the game with 6 seconds left. Outstanding! I could go on and on about him. I will cut it shorter though.

Joey we will miss you and its a shame you couldn't go out on your terms. I look forward to the day when you will be crowned the greatest Immortal.