What’s the Buzz: Andrew Johns to join brother Matthew on Fox Sports

Channel 9 has released rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns for an in-depth, one-off interview with his brother Matty on archrival network Fox Sports next weekend.

Matty Johns with his brother Andrew with Greg Alexander during the NSW Blues training session at NSWRL Centre of Excellence, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture. Phil Hillyard

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Channel 9 has released rugby league immortal Andrew Johns for an in-depth one-off interview with his brother Matty on archrival network Fox Sports next weekend.

Joey will appear as special guest on the first edition of the Matty Johns Show on Sunday night to discuss his recent epilepsy diagnosis and other issues in his life since retirement.

Your columnist first revealed in December Johns had been suffering from seizures and collapsed at a north coast coffee shop on a family holiday. Tests have since confirmed he is suffering from a mild form of epilepsy.

“Anywhere I go everyone asks how Joey is going with his health,” Matty said.

“So Nine agreed to let him come on and talk about it.”

The famous footballing brothers, who won a premiership together at the Knights, have had their differences over the years.

However in the last two years they have become closer than ever.

“A lot of people think I’ll get him on and take the piss like I usually do,” Matty said, ““No, this is a serious chat. I reckon in the last 18 months Joey has really found himself again.

“We’ll talk about retirement and how it affected him. I think people will see him in a different light.”

Fox Sports Head of Television Steve Crawley rang his Nine counterpart Tom Malone to get permission to use Johns.

“It’s great to see them back together because they haven’t always hit it off,” Crawley said, “It will be a great interview.”

The Johns brothers are closer than ever. Picture by Andrew Darby.

MORKEL OUT AND ABOUT

Popular South African cricketer Morne Morkel is now living in Sydney with his wife, television presenter Ros Kelly, and family. We spotted big Morne a Fairlight during the week in the nets at Graham Reserve, bowling to Manly grade players and passing on the tips from a magnificent career in which he took 309 Test wickets.

RUN SMITHY RUN

We spotted former Australia cricket captain Steve Smith at the SCG with the Waratahs rugby team on Friday. Smith ran laps of the ground while the Waratahs were having their captain’s run under Michael Hooper. Smith stayed around and watched Israel Folau and co. go through their paces before heading back for a nets session.

COACHES GO THE EXTRA MILE

Who said NRL coaches don’t do enough to promote the game? On a day off, Storm super coach Craig Bellamy flew from Melbourne to Sydney, caught a taxi to Atarmon, did a 15-minute promo for Fox Sports then hopped back in his cab to return to the airport for a flight home. Ricky Stuart did the same thing on his day off and flew up from Canberra. Even Wayne Bennett turned up and there’s a rumour he might have smiled for the cameras.

Bellamy went the extra mile to promote the game. Picture by Michael Klein.

CLUBS MISS THE MARK

While NRL clubs like Souths don’t want TV cameras in the dressing room for the team song after games their AFL rivals are the opposite. The GWS TV campaign is all about “Everything’s Bigger Up Close” and features the players in a huddle belting out the team song. It’s great vision for sponsors.

Laurie Daley has joined Fox Sports to appear on the Matty Johns show as an ambassador for the TAB. The former Kangaroos captain and Blues Origin coach will join Gordie, Fletch and Hindy on the couch to provide his insights and analysis of the game and look to help viewers find a winner.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Andrew Johns to join brother Matthew on Fox Sports