curious
21-01-06, 04:24 PM
ANDREW Johns has a dream and a nightmare.
The dream is of winning one last premiership medal with his beloved Newcastle Knights.
The nightmare is that in striving for that fitting finale for one of the game's greatest careers, he will once again fall victim to the knee injuries that have plagued him, and become a virtual cripple unable to enjoy a backyard game of touch with his son.
"There is a risk in playing too long," Johns said.
"You see players who have had chronic injuries and they can't even play touch football. I don't want to be like that. I don't want to get a knee replacement at 40 and have to hobble around.
"I love to surf and want to be able to keep on doing it."
While hinting at early retirement, the world's best halfback said he is not done with yet. In a chilling warning to his rivals, he said: "I want another premiership before I finish."
In a bid to prolong his career, Johns will cut back on training. But he admitted the troublesome knee may still force his hand before his contract expires in three years.
Despite reports Johns' magnificent representative career is over, the Test captain said he hasn't drawn the curtain yet and he will make a decision down the track.
"I don't really know what will happen yet," said Johns. "I will just have to wait and see how the year goes. I certainly won't make a decision yet."
In a wide-ranging interview with The Saturday Daily Telegraph Johns opened up about what lies ahead for one of the game's greats and also previews the NRL year ahead.
THE INJURY
After three season-ending injuries Johns admits he only has a limited number of miles left in his knees. The Test half was kept out of the game for 334 days with a knee injury sustained in 2004, and still hasn't run since damaging cartilage playing for the Kangaroos late last year.
The Knights captain said he now plans to train less, in a bid to manage the injury, but added he was hopeful of getting through the year.
"I only have so much left in my knee," he admitted.
"I have to use it up on the field. I still feel fit but we have to manage the injury. I haven't run yet but I have been killing myself on the rowing machine. Trainers are very smart these days and we can do a lot of cross-training, which limits the impact.
"I can do work in the pool or on a bike and lessen the load.
"At my age I don't have to be as fit as I was when I was 20. I just have to be smarter. Fingers crossed, I will still be able to go out and run with the boys. I hope it doesn't end up I can't train at all but we'll just have to wait and see."
RETIREMENT
As the prospect of retirement looms for the 31-year-old, he said he would like to play football forever. But the fear of not being able to walk may force him to quit early, in what would be a major blow for all league fans.
"It will depend on my knee," he said.
"It will be a year-to-year proposition as to whether I see it out. I don't want to lose my mobility."
But after 225 first-grade games the star No.7 says he is far from finished.
"I would definitely like to win another premiership before I retire and I think we have the team to do it.
"When you are young you think you are going to play forever but I can see the end now. I consider myself very lucky to have played to this level and been able to enjoy the lifestyle I lead.
"I have done everything in the game and consider myself blessed. I want to enjoy my last couple of years and I think the main thing is to have fun."
LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
One of the game's best tacticians, Johns would not rule out a coaching career after retirement.
But in a startling admission he revealed he would find it tough to coach his beloved Knights.
"I think it's very difficult to coach guys you've played with," he said.
"You have to have a line in the sand. You can be mates but you can't be too close. It would be very hard for me to coach a guy like Kurt Gidley because I am so close to him."
Johns said he would not go straight into coaching, all but ending speculation he will take over from departing Knights coach Michael Hagan at the end of the year.
"You can't go straight in from playing to coaching. You have to do an apprenticeship. It is like learning a new trade. I don't know if I want to be a first-grade coach. There is just so much pressure. But I'm thinking about it. If I do go down that road I will spend four or five years as a student first."
Johns also said he'd follow in brother Matthew's footsteps and pursue a post-football career in the media.
The Knights captain is already signed up with league broadcasters Channel 9 and looks to have a big future with the network after several performances that have television heavyweights calling him a "natural".
"It has come into my mind more and more lately," he said.
"I want to do a bit of television and keep my hand in the media. I am a sports lover through and through and want to keep involved with it for as long as I can."
Johns spoke about his passion for viewing sports on television. He said he would like to see more of the sort of coverage that had him talking live on air only moments before one of the most important games of his life.
"I went to the cricket during our break and I talked to a couple of the guys," he said.
"Adam Gilchrist asked about the interview my brother did with me on the team bus before Origin III. He asked whether it may have crossed the privacy line and I said I think it is great for the bloke sitting at home watching it and think there should be more of it.
"I think it would be great for cricket if you could get a camera right in front of Ricky Pointing's face just before he ran out. It gives the guy at home a feeling like he is there.
"It's great exposure for the game and we need it. I love it when they get a camera in after the game and you get to see a team sing their song. They are just great pictures."
NRL 2006
Coming into what will be one of the most evenly-matched competitions in history, Johns believes the Dragons and 2005 premiers Wests Tigers will be his toughest opponents.
"I think St George have the playing roster to give it a real shake," he said.
"And with the salary cap it might be their last chance, which should motivate them even more.
"You only get a couple of chances to win a grand final because you just can't keep a team together.
"I also think the Wests Tigers will be thereabouts again. They have bought really well, with the likes of Keith Galloway, Ryan O'Hara and Sam Harris. They are well coached and will be tough again next year."
But Johns said that all of the teams could potentially be a force.
"It all depends on who is fit and in form," Johns said.
"You need your top 17 on the park. The NRL needs to be credited on the way the salary cap has worked. It has just spread the talent right out.
"It is very unpredictable. No two people on the street would be able to pick the top eight if asked."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Johns predicts that two Bulldogs, Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason, will have a massive impact on the NRL this year. And he paid Williams the biggest compliment of them all by saying he could be the best player the game has ever seen.
"I saw Sonny the other week in his civilian clothes," he said.
"It's frightening to see how big he actually is. You look at him and think 'geez, I have to play against this bloke'. If he stays injury-free for the rest of his career he will be the best player ever.
"Fingers crossed that we get to see that. We are just so lucky to get to see the bloke play."
"And I think Willie Mason will have a big year. Anyone who has a major injury will do it tough for a while. He only played a handful of games last year and by his standards they weren't great. But I think he will be in for a great season."
THE ROOKIES
Johns has a soft spot for the game's halves and picked three playmakers as the rookies to watch.
"Being a halfback I want to watch Tim Smith this year and see how he evolves," said Johns.
"In his first year he was outstanding. He will only get better when he takes the ball to the line a bit more and develops his ball game.
"Jarrod Mullen is another one to watch. He is behind Kurt Gidley at our club. He has only just turned 19 but looks the goods. He has a massive future in front of him.
"And I think Todd Carney from the Raiders looks the goods. He will be a very good player."
STATE OF THE GAME
With football's World Cup approaching and the success of the Sydney Swans in the AFL, Johns feels it is more important than ever to keep young athletes playing rugby league.
"We have to make sure that young, talented athletes at about 16 or 17 are playing our game," he said.
"I understand the junior numbers in league are higher than they have ever been. I think if we keep our niche market we will be right.
"Our product is so strong at the moment. The season, the finals and the Origin series, it's all good. We are just going to get stronger and stronger.
"And with the way NZ performed in the Tri-Nations, the future is also looking good for international football. I think everyone will be looking forward to the Test matches this year.
"I really think the product is great. Crowds are up, ratings are up. When Friday comes around I just can't wait for the first game to start. You can watch every game all weekend."
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR
With the image of the game taking a battering in recent times, Johns said it was important for players to be careful and avoid incidents that may tarnish the game's image.
"I just think they have to be careful and look after each other," he said.
"It's hard for younger players these days because the rules are different.
"Every young bloke gets into a bit of strife but unfortunately if you are a league player you are in the spotlight. I really don't know what the answer is.
"I just think the spotlight is so intense from a young age. Whatever they do is public knowledge and they will get jumped on.
"Everyone makes mistakes."
By James Phelps
January 21, 2006
The Daily Telegraph
SOURCE (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17886071-23214,00.html)
The dream is of winning one last premiership medal with his beloved Newcastle Knights.
The nightmare is that in striving for that fitting finale for one of the game's greatest careers, he will once again fall victim to the knee injuries that have plagued him, and become a virtual cripple unable to enjoy a backyard game of touch with his son.
"There is a risk in playing too long," Johns said.
"You see players who have had chronic injuries and they can't even play touch football. I don't want to be like that. I don't want to get a knee replacement at 40 and have to hobble around.
"I love to surf and want to be able to keep on doing it."
While hinting at early retirement, the world's best halfback said he is not done with yet. In a chilling warning to his rivals, he said: "I want another premiership before I finish."
In a bid to prolong his career, Johns will cut back on training. But he admitted the troublesome knee may still force his hand before his contract expires in three years.
Despite reports Johns' magnificent representative career is over, the Test captain said he hasn't drawn the curtain yet and he will make a decision down the track.
"I don't really know what will happen yet," said Johns. "I will just have to wait and see how the year goes. I certainly won't make a decision yet."
In a wide-ranging interview with The Saturday Daily Telegraph Johns opened up about what lies ahead for one of the game's greats and also previews the NRL year ahead.
THE INJURY
After three season-ending injuries Johns admits he only has a limited number of miles left in his knees. The Test half was kept out of the game for 334 days with a knee injury sustained in 2004, and still hasn't run since damaging cartilage playing for the Kangaroos late last year.
The Knights captain said he now plans to train less, in a bid to manage the injury, but added he was hopeful of getting through the year.
"I only have so much left in my knee," he admitted.
"I have to use it up on the field. I still feel fit but we have to manage the injury. I haven't run yet but I have been killing myself on the rowing machine. Trainers are very smart these days and we can do a lot of cross-training, which limits the impact.
"I can do work in the pool or on a bike and lessen the load.
"At my age I don't have to be as fit as I was when I was 20. I just have to be smarter. Fingers crossed, I will still be able to go out and run with the boys. I hope it doesn't end up I can't train at all but we'll just have to wait and see."
RETIREMENT
As the prospect of retirement looms for the 31-year-old, he said he would like to play football forever. But the fear of not being able to walk may force him to quit early, in what would be a major blow for all league fans.
"It will depend on my knee," he said.
"It will be a year-to-year proposition as to whether I see it out. I don't want to lose my mobility."
But after 225 first-grade games the star No.7 says he is far from finished.
"I would definitely like to win another premiership before I retire and I think we have the team to do it.
"When you are young you think you are going to play forever but I can see the end now. I consider myself very lucky to have played to this level and been able to enjoy the lifestyle I lead.
"I have done everything in the game and consider myself blessed. I want to enjoy my last couple of years and I think the main thing is to have fun."
LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL
One of the game's best tacticians, Johns would not rule out a coaching career after retirement.
But in a startling admission he revealed he would find it tough to coach his beloved Knights.
"I think it's very difficult to coach guys you've played with," he said.
"You have to have a line in the sand. You can be mates but you can't be too close. It would be very hard for me to coach a guy like Kurt Gidley because I am so close to him."
Johns said he would not go straight into coaching, all but ending speculation he will take over from departing Knights coach Michael Hagan at the end of the year.
"You can't go straight in from playing to coaching. You have to do an apprenticeship. It is like learning a new trade. I don't know if I want to be a first-grade coach. There is just so much pressure. But I'm thinking about it. If I do go down that road I will spend four or five years as a student first."
Johns also said he'd follow in brother Matthew's footsteps and pursue a post-football career in the media.
The Knights captain is already signed up with league broadcasters Channel 9 and looks to have a big future with the network after several performances that have television heavyweights calling him a "natural".
"It has come into my mind more and more lately," he said.
"I want to do a bit of television and keep my hand in the media. I am a sports lover through and through and want to keep involved with it for as long as I can."
Johns spoke about his passion for viewing sports on television. He said he would like to see more of the sort of coverage that had him talking live on air only moments before one of the most important games of his life.
"I went to the cricket during our break and I talked to a couple of the guys," he said.
"Adam Gilchrist asked about the interview my brother did with me on the team bus before Origin III. He asked whether it may have crossed the privacy line and I said I think it is great for the bloke sitting at home watching it and think there should be more of it.
"I think it would be great for cricket if you could get a camera right in front of Ricky Pointing's face just before he ran out. It gives the guy at home a feeling like he is there.
"It's great exposure for the game and we need it. I love it when they get a camera in after the game and you get to see a team sing their song. They are just great pictures."
NRL 2006
Coming into what will be one of the most evenly-matched competitions in history, Johns believes the Dragons and 2005 premiers Wests Tigers will be his toughest opponents.
"I think St George have the playing roster to give it a real shake," he said.
"And with the salary cap it might be their last chance, which should motivate them even more.
"You only get a couple of chances to win a grand final because you just can't keep a team together.
"I also think the Wests Tigers will be thereabouts again. They have bought really well, with the likes of Keith Galloway, Ryan O'Hara and Sam Harris. They are well coached and will be tough again next year."
But Johns said that all of the teams could potentially be a force.
"It all depends on who is fit and in form," Johns said.
"You need your top 17 on the park. The NRL needs to be credited on the way the salary cap has worked. It has just spread the talent right out.
"It is very unpredictable. No two people on the street would be able to pick the top eight if asked."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Johns predicts that two Bulldogs, Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason, will have a massive impact on the NRL this year. And he paid Williams the biggest compliment of them all by saying he could be the best player the game has ever seen.
"I saw Sonny the other week in his civilian clothes," he said.
"It's frightening to see how big he actually is. You look at him and think 'geez, I have to play against this bloke'. If he stays injury-free for the rest of his career he will be the best player ever.
"Fingers crossed that we get to see that. We are just so lucky to get to see the bloke play."
"And I think Willie Mason will have a big year. Anyone who has a major injury will do it tough for a while. He only played a handful of games last year and by his standards they weren't great. But I think he will be in for a great season."
THE ROOKIES
Johns has a soft spot for the game's halves and picked three playmakers as the rookies to watch.
"Being a halfback I want to watch Tim Smith this year and see how he evolves," said Johns.
"In his first year he was outstanding. He will only get better when he takes the ball to the line a bit more and develops his ball game.
"Jarrod Mullen is another one to watch. He is behind Kurt Gidley at our club. He has only just turned 19 but looks the goods. He has a massive future in front of him.
"And I think Todd Carney from the Raiders looks the goods. He will be a very good player."
STATE OF THE GAME
With football's World Cup approaching and the success of the Sydney Swans in the AFL, Johns feels it is more important than ever to keep young athletes playing rugby league.
"We have to make sure that young, talented athletes at about 16 or 17 are playing our game," he said.
"I understand the junior numbers in league are higher than they have ever been. I think if we keep our niche market we will be right.
"Our product is so strong at the moment. The season, the finals and the Origin series, it's all good. We are just going to get stronger and stronger.
"And with the way NZ performed in the Tri-Nations, the future is also looking good for international football. I think everyone will be looking forward to the Test matches this year.
"I really think the product is great. Crowds are up, ratings are up. When Friday comes around I just can't wait for the first game to start. You can watch every game all weekend."
PLAYER BEHAVIOUR
With the image of the game taking a battering in recent times, Johns said it was important for players to be careful and avoid incidents that may tarnish the game's image.
"I just think they have to be careful and look after each other," he said.
"It's hard for younger players these days because the rules are different.
"Every young bloke gets into a bit of strife but unfortunately if you are a league player you are in the spotlight. I really don't know what the answer is.
"I just think the spotlight is so intense from a young age. Whatever they do is public knowledge and they will get jumped on.
"Everyone makes mistakes."
By James Phelps
January 21, 2006
The Daily Telegraph
SOURCE (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17886071-23214,00.html)