Footy legend Matty Johns hits Swans fans with a stunning insult – as he hammers top AFL reporter’s ‘joke’ statement on battle of the codes
- Johns has no doubt that NRL is the premier footy code in Sydney
- Follows commentary from AFL 360 reporter Mark Robinson
Rugby legend Matty Johns has scoffed at suggestions that the AFL will eventually become Sydney’s premier footy code, declaring that many Swans fans only attend home games at the SCG ‘to be seen’.
Fox Sports’ identity was not yet ready and stated that many supporters dressed in red and white often ‘turn their backs’ on live action.
Johns’ nasty spray comes after veteran footy reporter Mark Robinson boldly declared on AFL 360 earlier this week: ‘Before we’re dead, AFL will take over rugby league in Sydney. I’m telling you.’
Robinson’s statement was branded “delusional” by ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, who pointed to the AFL’s poor TV ratings in Sydney during the finals series which also featured the GWS Giants.
The war of words between Australia’s two main footy codes comes as the Swans prepare to take on the Brisbane Lions in the grand final next Saturday.
More than 100,000 fans will pack the MCG for the first time since 2006 in a match involving two interstate teams.
Whether Johns β a premiership winner with the Knights in 1997 β will sit down to watch the match remains to be seen, but he made his thoughts known on SEN Radio.
“The things in the paper that they (AFL) have come out with (saying), ‘Look at our crowd, it’s only a matter of time before we take over the NRL’, oh my God, what a joke,” said Johns.
Rugby legend Matty Johns has scoffed at suggestions that AFL will eventually become Sydney’s premier sport, declaring Swans fans only attend home games at the SCG ‘to be seen’
Johns’ nasty spray comes after veteran footy reporter Mark Robinson (pictured) cheekily declared on AFL 360 earlier this week: ‘before we’re dead, AFL will take over rugby league in Sydney’
Swans fans were in the mood to celebrate after beating Port Adelaide in the SCG preliminary final on September 20 (pictured) to reach another grand final
βOnly people who don’t understand the mentality of Sydney people would even say that.
‘[They drew] 48,000 Swans fans, doing well… if you counted the faces it would be like that [only] be 10,000.
‘Everyone is there to be seen, there are people who have their backs to the sport.’
Johns pointed to the fanaticism of NRL fans in Sydney’s west, referring to the Panthers, Tigers and Bulldogs, who he said “wouldn’t even know what the AFL is”.
He admitted he “respects the players in the sport” – his complaint was against the code’s administrators and largely Melbourne-based media.
βI find them naive and disrespectful to our city and our culture,β Johns said.
‘[Brownlow Medal winner] Patrick Cripps could come to my back door and say, “Hey, how are you doing?…I would have no idea who he is.”