‘The sad bit’: Johns shoots down ‘disrespectful’ Fittler speculation amid painful Blues reality
Andrew Johns has shot down ‘disrespectful’ speculation surrounding Blues coach Brad Fittler after their second series loss on the trot.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Andrew Johns has shot down speculation he could replace Blues coach Brad Fittler despite lamenting a sad reality for NSW after their second series loss on the trot.
The Blues are in crisis after losing their third series in four years under Fittler and their 14th series in the last 18 years, as Queensland threaten to build another dynasty under Billy Slater.
Speaking on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports radio, Johns labelled talk of him replacing Fittler as disrespectful.
“No,” Johns said when asked if he would replace Fittler in the Blues’ top job.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“And in respect of Freddy who’s a great mate of mine, he’s still got another game to coach, nothing’s been spoken about, whether he’s going to go on or not.
“There’ll be people on the NSWRL board with that decision but for me personally I’d never do it and I don’t want to comment because it’s my great mate Freddy and he deserves respect.
“He’s done a great job, people will jump up and down about it but I love the bloke, he’s done a great job, and I wouldn’t disrespect him.”
One of the Blues’ most passionate supporters, Johns lamented the missed opportunities from NSW, but conceded Queensland were deserved winners of the 2023 series.
“A lot’s been said ... Queensland were out of this world, they played really well,” Johns said.
“Reece Walsh, the superstar he is, he just showed what a player he is.
“We didn’t take our chances, we had opportunities and didn’t take them. They nailed their chances.”
However, Johns was frustrated the Blues were beaten in the areas of the game that require no talent by a far more desperate Queensland side.
“At the end of the day, the sad bit is they beat us in the effort areas and I think the big one for me that stood out was when Stephen Crichton got an intercept and they had half a dozen guys behind the ball,” Johns said.
“We had hardly anyone supporting which was so disappointing but we’ll move on. We’ve got to win game three that’s the thing ... we’ve just got to win, whatever it takes.”
Originally published as ‘The sad bit’: Johns shoots down ‘disrespectful’ Fittler speculation amid painful Blues reality
Storm ‘grubbery’ finally comes back to bite
The Melbourne Storm are licking their wounds after another tough grand final loss, but they only have themselves to blame for falling short.
Cleary comment that provoked Panthers towards another title
Ivan Cleary revealed he questioned the desire of his ‘complacent’ Panthers during the season, a moment that stung the players and ultimately sparked their run towards a fourth-straight premiership.