‘Might see him at Christmas … might’: Johns feud’s sad twist

Rugby league’s most famous brothers Andrew and Matthew Johns are still at war, as the dramatic feud gets even more bitter.

Joey and Matty are still at odds. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

Andrew and Matthew Johns’ feud has taken a fresh bitter twist as the pair are still not on speaking terms, three months since it publicly erupted.

It was back in May live on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns that the pair’s brotherly feud erupted after Matty praised Queensland coach Billy Slater.

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It led to the eighth Immortal, who is affectionate known as Joey, take the bait and led to the pair not being on speaking terms since May.

While many believed it could just blow over quickly, it was soon revealed the pair were not on speaking terms and SEN boss Craig Hutchison moved in to try and smooth things over.

But this backfired as Joey walked away from the Friday morning radio show.

While believed to be a temporary absence, Newscorp reports it is now permanent.

Matty confirmed that Joey wouldn’t return to the show any time soon — while peace talks have also been put on hold.

“He hasn’t been spotted off Nobby’s,” Matthew told Sport Confidential.

“Plans to catch have been put on hold. We might see him at Christmas … might.”

Joey and Matty are still at odds. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

Joey’s absence will mean former Bronco Denan Kemp will become a permanent fixture on the Friday morning show.

It’s another sad twist for the pair, now over a month since Joey told 2GB’s Ben Fordham that he’d patch things up with Matty.

Asked if he and Matthew could be a potential duo to replace Brad Fittler as Blues coach, Joey said: “Ah, no, that won’t be happening.

“We’re going to have lunch in the next couple of days. I rang him and said I’ll talk to you after Origin.”

Fordham asked: “So you and Matty are having a lunch, you smoking the peace pipe are you?”

Johns replied: “Well, not in those words but yeah.”

However, it hasn’t yet eventuated.

The split happened back in May, before the first State of Origin match, and seeming via an innocuous moment.

Matty said: “(Queensland coach Billy) Slater’s close to the best coach in the game. You just know how he explains, how he coaches, the intricacies, the players absolutely love him. Queensland know exactly how they’re going to play and who they need to pick to make that happen.”

Can’t we go back to this? Picture: Andrew Darby

Matty revealed that he had seen Joey wasn’t paying attention and decided to poke the bear, with the eighth Immortal taking the bait and some.

“Mate I’m sick of you rapping Queensland, that’s what I’m sick of,” Andrew replied.

He also told Matthew to “put your Maroon jersey on”, as well as saying: “What? just because you played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you need to s**t bag NSW”.

Andrew is not only seen as arguably the greatest rugby league player of all-time but also one of the greatest Origin players.

The next day via his The Matty Johns Podcast, Matty said: “I’ve just heard through the grapevine that basically he’s said to people that next time he sees me, he’s going to take my head off.”

Before game two of the 2023 Origin series, Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster stirred the pot, asking at the end of an interview on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show: “Have you made up with your brother?”

Joey replied: “What brother?”

While Andrew didn’t want to hear it at the time, Matty was right on the money as the Maroons wrapped up a series win in the first two games, with the Blues winning the dead rubber in Sydney.

But while the Origin series has come and gone, the Johns brothers feud continues on.