NRL great Andrew Johns quits his brother Matthew’s radio show as pair’s Origin feud intensifies

NRL The immortal Andrew Johns has left the SEN radio network in dramatic fashion as the fallout from his on-air feud with brother Matthew Johns continues.

The footy siblings – who often disagree – have been unable to reconcile their differences after a heated on-air debate ahead of the State of Origin series opener last month.

Fox Sports identity Matthew Johns, who hosts the Morning glory program every Friday, praised the coaching abilities of Queensland mentor Billy Slater, who got under his younger brother’s skin.

Andrew Johns is also a member of the NSW Blues coaching staff.

SEN station boss Craig Hutchison was convinced the siblings would soon be on the same page – possibly once the Origin series ends – but it’s believed that an excited Andrew Johns has stated that he will no longer be on the air in 2023.

The footy siblings – who often disagree – have been unable to resolve their differences after a rigorous on-air debate ahead of the State of Origin series opener on May 31 (Matthew Johns is pictured with his wife Trish)

On June 9 – for the second consecutive week – Andrew made a no-show at SEN’s Walker St studios in North Sydney.

Matthew Johns said in the run-up, “I just leave the studio door open,” and if “he walks through the doors at one to nine, then he will, if he doesn’t, we’re going to have to.” .’

Johns and respected sportswriter Andrew Webster did not address the elephant in the room at the time.

Matthew’s comments about Slater infuriated young brother Andrew, who is as passionate as they are when it comes to the blues.

“Mate, I’m tired of you rapping Queensland, that’s what I’m tired of,” Andrew, widely regarded as the Blues’ greatest ever player, said live on radio last month.

‘Put on your maroon sweater, you must have it in the house.

“Just because you played four games and lost all four doesn’t mean you don’t have to swallow NSW.”

Matty Johns’ recent comments about Queensland’s ability to have big moments in Origin and the rise of Billy Slater as head coach of the Maroons infuriated his younger brother Andrew (pictured)

Andrew Johns (pictured right) is as passionate as it gets when it comes to the Blues, where he’s also part of the coaching staff

The Maroons performed again at the Origin arena, storming home to beat the Blues 26-18 in the 2023 series opener in Adelaide

Earlier this month, Matthew Johns confirmed that the former NSW Blues halfback was still unwilling to smoke the peace pipe.

“Houston, we’ve got a problem, it’s official my brother is completely off me,” Matty told listeners.

“There were rumors that he wouldn’t come. I thought the last three weeks he didn’t call back was laziness.

‘He’s rid of me. This is nothing new to me and Joey (Andrew). We have been forced to share a bedroom for 19 years.

“We’ve had enough of each other. We have a blue one every six months.’

While Matthew’s Origin career was relatively short, his brother made 23 appearances for the Blues, including a legendary man-of-the-match performance in Game Two of the 2005 series.

The pair have clashed many times over the years, with most of their encounters being benign.

Matty Johns had an incredible career in the NRL – but Andrew was quick to point out recently that he lost all four Origin games he played

Andrew Johns, on the other hand, is regarded by many footy fans as the Blues’ greatest ever player

Last July, Matthew used a radio debate on State of Origin as an opportunity to lash out at his brother for his love life.

The NSW side are known for dropping stars from their squad on a regular basis – often when fans think they don’t deserve to be shown the door – while Queensland are regarded as more loyal to their players.

Matty used Andrew – who is in his third long-term relationship – to summarize the Blues’ selection process.

“It’s all of NSW. I want people to know… be extremely concerned. Don’t marry someone from NSW because we fall in love with new acquaintances very easily,” he said on SEN.

“What you do is you just get rid of them. Just bring someone else in.

“I mean, the best example is our best player ever, Andrew Johns, I think he’s on the trail of his third wife.”