Matty Johns on Magic Round and the effect meeting star players has on young fans
The Magic Round has drawn every NRL player into one city for an event that must be a huge thrill for young fans of the game. MATTY JOHNS recalls the impact of meeting his own heroes.
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I love the Magic Round concept. It’s been an event to look forward to, to have all the teams and all the stars in the same place has created enormous excitement in the city of Brisbane, and for the many fans who have travelled there.
It has a particular impact on young fans, it draws them to the sport and for some, lights a fire to one day emulate their heroes.
Watching the many young fans lining up for autographs and photos with nervous anticipation took me back to when I was a young boy and reminded me of the encounters with my heroes which had an enormous impact on me and my love of the sport.
MEETING MICK CRONIN, 1979
It was November 1979, my dad Gary was reserve grade coach of the Cessnock Goannas. There was excitement in the city as Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley had announced he was moving to the Hunter Valley and would coach the Cessnock team in 1980.
Fearnley flew to Cessnock airport and Dad and I drove to pick the new coach up, and when he disembarked the plane I got the shock of my life, alongside him was superstar centre Mick Cronin.
I remember my legs shaking with excitement as Cronin approached, and on the drive into town, as the legendary centre and I sat in the back seat, I was so shocked I couldn’t speak.
Cronin remarked, “Geez Gary, your young bloke doesn’t talk much….”
How things change.
Dad and I mustn’t have made much of an impression because a week later Terry Fearnley had a change of heart and decided Cessnock wasn’t for him.
It worked out well for everybody. Fearnley would go on to coach New South Wales and Australia, and my old man got the first grade job at Cessnock.
CESSNOCK GOANNAS VS BALMAIN TIGERS, 1980
My dad’s first match in charge of the Goannas was a trial game against my beloved Balmain Tigers.
In the pre-season my old man and winemaker Murray Tyrrell travelled up to Townsville and Innisfail to scout for players. They returned with exciting winger Doug Tanner and a big, strong, intimidating front-rower called Willie Tarry.
The Tigers arrived in town with a young team full of names I hadn’t heard of like Wayne Pearce and Steve Roach. I was sand boy and had a close up look at the events of the first scrum.
The young Tigers’ front-rower, Roach, decided to test out the new Goannas’ hard man from Innisfail.
The man who would go on to become known as “Blocker”, nailed his opposite number with a sneaky headbutt, but to Blocker’s horror the big Goannas’ prop didn’t flinch, and then countered with a vicious left hook that sparked an all-in-brawl.
To this day Blocker says he never forgot the name Willie Tarry because it was the hardest he’d ever been hit.
I never forgot the fight — it nearly made me take up tennis.
CESSNOCK GOANNAS VS NEWTOWN JETS, 1981
In the second year of dad coaching the Goannas they started the season by inviting eventual grand finalists Newtown up for a trial match.
I distinctly remember watching the Jets’ hardman Steve Bowden pounding the heavy punching bag in the dressing sheds on the Thursday before the Saturday trial. Later that season he would infamously take those pugilistic skills to Mark Broadhurst in a wild semi-final.
In that Jets team were names such as Phil Sigsworth, Phil Gould, John “Chicka” Ferguson and their coach Warren Ryan.
But the star attraction was Tommy Raudonikis.
Newtown won the trial 12-4 and on the Sunday after the game at a BBQ at Tyrrell’s Vineyard, Tommy held court for hours, telling stories unfit for publication.
LISTEN! Latrell-mania has hit fever pitch but can he be considered among the game’s best players? And Matty also recalls the day the legendary Steve Rogers knocked on the door of the Johns family home. Tune in for the Matty Johns podcast with Kenty and Hoops.
THE ‘LEGEND’ BARRY ANDREWS
In 1981 the Cessnock Goannas’ star signing was Barry “Panda” Andrews. Panda had played over 100 games with Cronulla, appearing in the ’78 Grand Final and then finished with a season with Easts in 1980.
Panda and dad became best mates and Panda basically lived at our house.
He was an incredibly smart player and a tremendous kicker of the football … He also enjoyed a beverage, hence his friendship with my father.
Two things I remember about Panda was the red Ford Falcon he drove, a gift from Kerry Packer for signing with Easts.
The other, a night he arrived at home, full as a boot and filthy that one of his Goannas’ teammates had made comment that he passed the ball too hard.
Indignant, Panda fetched an old leather football and made Andrew and I catch repeated passes which he hurled from the far side of the lounge room.
Mum was horrified, behind Joey and I was her prized glass cabinet.
Panda must’ve thrown 200 passes to us before he collapsed and we carried him to bed.
Mum still has the glass cabinet — and yes Panda did pass the football too hard.
THE PRINCE OF CENTRES
Late 1982 and there was a knock on the front door of our house. I opened it and standing there was none other than the great Steve Rogers.
“Is Panda here?”
I nearly choked….”Come in Mr Rogers.”
In walks the great Steve Rogers who had just signed at St George.
He took a seat on the lounge and Joey and I just stood there staring at him, we wouldn’t have been more in awe if the Lord Jesus Christ had called in for a stubby.
He called us over, “So who do you blokes support?”
I reply, “Balmain.”
He winces.
Joey pauses and replies, “St George Mr Rogers.”
Steve pulled out his wallet and handed Joey a $10 note.
Lying little bastard was a Bulldogs fan!
Originally published as Matty Johns on Magic Round and the effect meeting star players has on young fans
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