Matthew Johns reveals Manly’s wild Mad Monday party poured into his garage at 4am – so he had a ‘sympathy beer’ with the team
- Matty Johns was shocked by scenes at his home this week
- ‘Half the Manly NRL squad’ was partying in his garage
- Presentation evening of Sea Eagles followed in Manly
Rugby league identity Matty Johns has revealed he ‘hosted’ the tail end of the Sea Eagles’ wild Mad Monday celebrations after the team ambushed him in his own home.
Johns told colleague Matt White on SEN Radio that he woke up at 4am on Tuesday after hearing a commotion in his garage near his home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The Newcastle Knights premiership winner went to investigate and found half of Anthony Siebold’s squad – including his youngest son Cooper.
“I’m a little tired this morning,” Johns began. “I found myself having a sympathy beer with my old buddy, (Manly assistant coach) Jimmy Dymock, at 4am.
“The players had been to their presentation night (at the Manly Pacific) and decided to continue in my garage.
Rugby league identity Matty Johns (pictured right, with son Cooper) has revealed he ‘hosted’ the capstone of the Sea Eagles’ Mad Monday celebrations this week
The impromptu party followed Manly’s end-of-season presentation night, where skipper Daly Cherry-Evans accepted the Roy Bull award for best and fairest.
“I only had the one (beer), that was enough.”
Johns confirmed there were “a few phone calls” back and forth about turning the music down as the sun rose.
He also joked that he was disappointed it wasn’t the Melbourne Storm or Brisbane Broncos partying in his garage – saying he had to settle for the Sea Eagles, who ‘didn’t even make the top eight’.
It was a far cry from the Bulldogs’ Mad Monday celebrations, which saw the team go to the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation was brought in so they could help feed some of Sydney’s poorest people.
After retiring from the NRL in 2002 due to persistent shoulder and neck injuries, Johns made a successful move into the media.
After a stint at Channel Nine and Seven, Johns joined Fox Sports in 2012 where he now hosts a number of shows during the football season and a weekly podcast featuring NRL legend Cooper Cronk.
The former five-eighth also had a dramatic feud with his brother – NRL Immortal Andrew Johns – ahead of the 2023 Origin series, with the feud remaining unresolved.
There was a huge argument between live broadcasts at SEN and Matty praised Queensland coach Billy Slater.
Andrew Johns is a die-hard Blue, closely associated with team coach Brad Fittler.
Matthew Johns (left) and Andrew Johns (right) have yet to reconcile after a very public row over State of Origin earlier this year
Matthew Johns (left) and Andrew Johns (right) may not celebrate Christmas together in 2023
He became angry at his older brother’s public praise for the boss of the Maroons, leading to an explosive argument.
While Andrew continues to ignore his brother, ‘Joey’ continues to keep in touch with Matty’s sons Jack and Cooper.
“I’m talking to him,” Knights backrower Jack Johns recently said on a podcast. “Me and him are pretty close.”
Matty replied, “So you’re transferring to the other side, huh, Judas?”
“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.”