Matthew Johns reveals the very surprising way his year-long feud with brother Andrew came to an end as they cuddled and made up

NRL legend Matthew Johns has revealed how his bitter, years-long feud with his legendary brother Andrew finally came to an end and the surprising role his son Jack played in resolving the issues.

The Newcastle Knights legends, who went on to win the championship, star in the club’s 1997 Grand Final, played for New South Wales and Australia and have worked closely together since their playing careers ended.

Despite being brothers, they don’t always see eye to eye. Their public feud erupted in May last year when Matthew voiced his support for Queensland ahead of the State of Origin series.

Matthew spoke highly of Maroons coach Billy Slater, earning the ire of his brother ‘Joey’.

“Slater is almost the best coach in the game. You just know the way he explains, the way he coaches, the complexity, the players love him,” Matthew said at the time.

‘Queensland know exactly how they are going to play and who they need to field.’

Andrew shot back: ‘Put your Maroon shirt on, you should have some at home too. Just because you’ve played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you should screw NSW.’

The feud grew bigger and bigger: Matthew was not allowed to attend Andrew’s 52nd birthday and Joey also canceled his spot on the radio show Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

The Johns brothers clashed over Matt’s comments about the 2023 State of Origin series

Many fans and experts expected the feud to blow over, but the atmosphere between them remained icy.

Speaking on the Matty & The Missile podcast, Johns became interested in his relationship with his brother after watching his sisters Jess and Noemie Fox win gold at the Olympics.

“My oldest son Jack, such a great kid. He worries too much about the family. It worries me,” Matthew said.

‘Dad, you drink too much, all that stuff. He’s taken over [from] Trish [Matt’s wife]. He’s that kind of kid.

‘[Younger son] Cooper is kind of letting loose, but okay. Jack says, “I don’t like what’s going on between you and Uncle Joey. I don’t like it. It’s not right.”

“I say, you know, ‘We’re brothers.’ He says, ‘No, it’s not right.’

Matthew then explained that Jack, who has played for the Rabbitohs and Knights, had tricked his father into letting him visit Uncle Andrew.

“So one day I’m sitting on the lounge sofa. It’s Sunday afternoon, I think. I’m having a couple of beers,” Johns said.

Matt Johns says his son Jack (pictured together) played a crucial role in mending the rift between the two

Jack brought his father to Andrew’s house so the couple could patch things up

Matt Johns said there is still some ground to be made with his brother Andrew, but that they ‘will always be brothers’

“He says, ‘Do you want to go for a drive, Dad?’ I didn’t really want to. I was watching a movie.

I said, “Okay, let’s go for a little drive.”

‘So we get in the car and we drive. And we drive. We go over the Spit Bridge.

“Man, where are we going?”

‘When we drove over the Harbour Bridge I knew where it was taking me. So I’m in the front [of Andrew’s home]I’m sitting in the car and I say, “Buddy, come on.”

And he said, “Get the f*cking over there.”

‘I went, okay, I took the elevator up, and he knocked on the door, opened it, and I gave Joey a big hug.

‘And he [Jack] did that.

‘Since then, Joey and I still have some ground to make up, but you will always be brothers, that’s the most important thing.’