Matthew Johns’s bitter footy feud with brother Andrew will NEVER be put to rest, says NRL legend’s son
Matthew Johns bitter foot feud with brother Andrew will NEVER be ended, son of NRL legend says
- Sibling resentment began earlier this year over state of origin
- Paar has not spoken since the fight on live radio
- Cooper Johns gave an update on the feud on Wednesday
The rift between football legend brothers Matthew and Andrew Johns is so deep that no one will be able to play the peacemaker between the siblings, Matthews NRL star son Cooper has revealed.
Earlier this year, the siblings had a huge brawl on live radio when Matthew praised Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater.
Diehard NSW man Andrew lashed out at his brother for continuing to ‘s**tbag’ the Blues team they both played for during the heated argument on SEN’s Morning Glory show.
Many fans and pundits expected the feud to blow over, but the pair are still not in talks despite SEN boss Craig Hutchison’s attempts to smooth things over between the siblings.
Matthew (left) and Andrew Johns have not spoken since their infamous fight over State of Origin footy live on radio in June
Older brother Matthew (pictured with wife Trish) said he and his brother both “hold a pretty good grudge”
Andrew has since walked away from his Friday morning radio program and is not expected to return.
Cooper told Wednesday The Kyle and Jackie O Show that he believes the feud is so bad it cannot be ended.
“They still haven’t spoken,” he told Kyle Sandilands, who then asked if Cooper could get the couple to put their argument aside.
“I don’t know if anyone could do that, Kyle,” he replied, adding that Andrew would refuse if they tried to get the brothers on the air together to pull things off.
The show then got Matthew on the phone and asked about the feud which carried over into his radio show now that Andrew no longer appears on it.
“I’m enjoying the break,” he said.
“We both hold quite a grudge. It’s a bit like Italian Alzheimer’s disease: you forget everything except your resentment.’
Andrew (pictured with partner Kate Kendall) didn’t respond to his brother when he wished him a happy 49th birthday this year
Earlier this month, Matthew seemed to hold out some hope of a reunion, admitting he was still not on good terms with his brother, saying: “Plans to catch up have been put on hold. Maybe we’ll see him at Christmas… maybe.”
He has also revealed that he tried to patch things up with his younger brother and reached out when Andrew turned 49 but got no response.
While Andrew has not spoken to Matthew, he does keep in touch with his brother’s sons, Jack and Cooper.
“I’m talking to him,” Knights’ Jack said in a recent podcast. “Me and him are pretty close.”
Matthew replied, “So you’re transferring to the other side, huh, Judas?”
Male NRL player Cooper Johns (pictured) predicted that no one would be able to get his father and uncle to mend their relationship
The football legends (pictured in happier times) are estranged as Andrew no longer appears on Matthew’s radio show
“Well, why don’t you all just join in and kick me like your goddamn uncle, okay?
“Do you think Joey will call me and bury the hatchet? Or do you think he will carry on this grudge forever? Because I hope he continues it forever.”
The feud started when Matthew praised Slater, who steered Queensland to a 2-1 win in last year’s series, despite facing a NSW team that many pundits considered clearly more talented than the Cane Toads.
The eldest of the pair called the former Storm icon “close to the best coach in the game”, saying Slater’s players “love him” and the Queensland side has their game plan right, while NSW doesn’t.
That confused Andrew and he replied, “I’m tired of you rapping Queensland.”