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Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Real reason Andrew Johns isn't the greatest of them all
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. A halfback in rugby league is as pivotal to success as a quarterback to an NFL team or Charlie Sheen to Two and a Half Men. Even with extensive rehearsals and a stellar support cast, no premiership charge is a chance without a quality number seven — even if their replacement is serviceable and sober. But while the role has enjoyed prime ministerial prominence since the game's advent in 1908, its stocks have soared in recent years thanks to a golden era of playmaking talent. The 21st century has been a glorious fiesta of superstar halfbacks, with the NRL's profile ballooning on a generation of box office ballplayers with skillsets as broad as their wallets. Four names stand out from this era on the Mount Rushmore of modern halfbacks: Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Nathan Cleary. To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. But if you could only select one to earn you a repeat set while marketing premium deodorant, who would it be? Of course, Johns' masterful domination of the early 2000s makes him the default choice for 95 per cent of romantic millennials and 100 per cent of Novocastrians. Born with every conceivable footy attribute and a backside like a rhinoceros beetle, the Newcastle native is a divine Maradona-esque figure in league — not just for his footballing mastery either. A well-documented party boy, Johns achieved everything in rugby league across a glittering 14-year career despite being hampered with ill-fitting pants and a hangover the entire time. However, what further set apart the four time Dally M Medalist was his profound influence at Origin level. Considering names like Brett Kimmorley, Mitchell Pearce and Jarrod Mullen, Johns set such lofty standards for NSW that he even ended the careers of Blues halfbacks just with his shadow alone. Yep, the Eighth Immortal was so outrageously talented that he could even beat New South Wales, and to be fair, if Queensland had any sensibility they'd smelt Wally's statue and replace it with a big blue arse in his honour. But despite being an unlikely Maroons legend, does Johns outshine a champion terrier like Thurston? Andrew Johns weaves some magic. Johnathan Thurston saw the game like nobody else. AAP Image/Michael Chambers. Even though halfbacks have always been the smallest guy on the team, Thurston took it to the next level by mastering the game despite 75 per cent of his playing weight being his boots. Put simply, the two-time premiership winner wasn't your traditional bubble-wrapped halfback train-surfing on the back of his forwards. That's because he was a pound-for-pound bull-ant who seemed to enjoy digging in to the line and getting his ribs crumpled like a venetian blind. It was this dogged tenacity that not only lead to four Dally M awards and three Golden Boots, but also ensured Thurston remains universally adored to this day by everyone in rugby league except Spencer Leniu. But if Johns had the magic and Thurston had the perforated lungs, it was Cronk who had the black market software. The human equivalent of an Excel formula, Cronk was programmed for any scenario in rugby league imaginable — even fobbing off Cameron Smith from his wedding. Everything about the Storm general was square; he played square, he kicked square and besides his schnozz, he even looked square. While this saw him initially dismissed as a mere cog in Craig Bellamy's operating system, Cronk silenced any doubts about his roboticism by firstly falling in love, then by following his heart to Sydney and immediately adapting to the Roosters' game plan. Eventually retiring in 2019, Cronk sailed off in to the sunset with back-to-back premierships at Bondi to go alongside his four titles at the Storm (albeit two stripped for cap breaches), a fine reward for a player who began as a humble utility and finished a tactical commissar. But for all his self-made success, what about his modern day equivalent in Cleary? Much like Cronk, Cleary was not gifted with God-given sorcery but made up for the shortfall by dedicating to his craft with the discipline of a German gymnast. And even nowadays with defences more stout than ever, Cleary has become one of the rare million dollar playmakers in the NRL who can consider himself criminally underpaid. In a shortage with desperate clubs splooging top dollar on anything with a pulse, Cleary represents value for money when a 'halfback' can cop squillions even if they're just an untested prodigy or a rebranded centre who passed the ball twice in under 12s. But don't let this landscape detract from the two-time Clive Churchill Medalist. Cleary is the quintessential playmaker's playmaker, a man born to be first receiver whose first act upon leaving the crib was to dribble one in behind for a repeat set. Better yet, he is eloquent, humble and universally pursued by premium brands like Adidas and rugby union. And if you think Johns and Thurston had it tough dealing with size issues, spare a thought for Cleary who still managed to secure four straight comps with his dad helicopter-parenting the entire time. Yep, despite his career still yet to conclude, Cleary is at home alongside the best of the best. But of the four doyens, who stands above, who really is the greatest of the past 25 years? Anointing only one is a task so inherently dangerous it could land you on a watch list or even get you extradited to Penrith court. However, with his nine grand finals and multiple premierships across two clubs - one in a fishbowl and the other a pro-AFL nation state - Cronk is not just the choice of hipsters and supercoach poindexters, he stands alone as the greatest by sheer weight of numbers. Plus shunning Smith from his nuptials has to count for something. Not just a sports nut? Take the rest of our 25@25 polls below Originally published as Real reason Andrew Johns isn't the greatest of them all
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Real reason Andrew Johns isn't the greatest of them all
A halfback in rugby league is as pivotal to success as a quarterback to an NFL team or Charlie Sheen to Two and a Half Men. Even with extensive rehearsals and a stellar support cast, no premiership charge is a chance without a quality number seven — even if their replacement is serviceable and sober. But while the role has enjoyed prime ministerial prominence since the game's advent in 1908, its stocks have soared in recent years thanks to a golden era of playmaking talent. The 21st century has been a glorious fiesta of superstar halfbacks, with the NRL's profile ballooning on a generation of box office ballplayers with skillsets as broad as their wallets. Four names stand out from this era on the Mount Rushmore of modern halfbacks: Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Nathan Cleary. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. But if you could only select one to earn you a repeat set while marketing premium deodorant, who would it be? Of course, Johns' masterful domination of the early 2000s makes him the default choice for 95 per cent of romantic millennials and 100 per cent of Novocastrians. Born with every conceivable footy attribute and a backside like a rhinoceros beetle, the Newcastle native is a divine Maradona-esque figure in league — not just for his footballing mastery either. A well-documented party boy, Johns achieved everything in rugby league across a glittering 14-year career despite being hampered with ill-fitting pants and a hangover the entire time. However, what further set apart the four time Dally M Medalist was his profound influence at Origin level. Considering names like Brett Kimmorley, Mitchell Pearce and Jarrod Mullen, Johns set such lofty standards for NSW that he even ended the careers of Blues halfbacks just with his shadow alone. Yep, the Eighth Immortal was so outrageously talented that he could even beat New South Wales, and to be fair, if Queensland had any sensibility they'd smelt Wally's statue and replace it with a big blue arse in his honour. But despite being an unlikely Maroons legend, does Johns outshine a champion terrier like Thurston? Even though halfbacks have always been the smallest guy on the team, Thurston took it to the next level by mastering the game despite 75 per cent of his playing weight being his boots. Put simply, the two-time premiership winner wasn't your traditional bubble-wrapped halfback train-surfing on the back of his forwards. That's because he was a pound-for-pound bull-ant who seemed to enjoy digging in to the line and getting his ribs crumpled like a venetian blind. It was this dogged tenacity that not only lead to four Dally M awards and three Golden Boots, but also ensured Thurston remains universally adored to this day by everyone in rugby league except Spencer Leniu. But if Johns had the magic and Thurston had the perforated lungs, it was Cronk who had the black market software. The human equivalent of an Excel formula, Cronk was programmed for any scenario in rugby league imaginable — even fobbing off Cameron Smith from his wedding. Everything about the Storm general was square; he played square, he kicked square and besides his schnozz, he even looked square. While this saw him initially dismissed as a mere cog in Craig Bellamy's operating system, Cronk silenced any doubts about his roboticism by firstly falling in love, then by following his heart to Sydney and immediately adapting to the Roosters' game plan. Eventually retiring in 2019, Cronk sailed off in to the sunset with back-to-back premierships at Bondi to go alongside his four titles at the Storm (albeit two stripped for cap breaches), a fine reward for a player who began as a humble utility and finished a tactical commissar. But for all his self-made success, what about his modern day equivalent in Cleary? Much like Cronk, Cleary was not gifted with God-given sorcery but made up for the shortfall by dedicating to his craft with the discipline of a German gymnast. And even nowadays with defences more stout than ever, Cleary has become one of the rare million dollar playmakers in the NRL who can consider himself criminally underpaid. In a shortage with desperate clubs splooging top dollar on anything with a pulse, Cleary represents value for money when a 'halfback' can cop squillions even if they're just an untested prodigy or a rebranded centre who passed the ball twice in under 12s. But don't let this landscape detract from the two-time Clive Churchill Medalist. Cleary is the quintessential playmaker's playmaker, a man born to be first receiver whose first act upon leaving the crib was to dribble one in behind for a repeat set. Better yet, he is eloquent, humble and universally pursued by premium brands like Adidas and rugby union. And if you think Johns and Thurston had it tough dealing with size issues, spare a thought for Cleary who still managed to secure four straight comps with his dad helicopter-parenting the entire time. Yep, despite his career still yet to conclude, Cleary is at home alongside the best of the best. But of the four doyens, who stands above, who really is the greatest of the past 25 years? Anointing only one is a task so inherently dangerous it could land you on a watch list or even get you extradited to Penrith court. However, with his nine grand finals and multiple premierships across two clubs - one in a fishbowl and the other a pro-AFL nation state - Cronk is not just the choice of hipsters and supercoach poindexters, he stands alone as the greatest by sheer weight of numbers. Plus shunning Smith from his nuptials has to count for something.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Buddy Franklin makes a shock sporting comeback in one of Australia's toughest events alongside another footy legend
AFL legend Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has completed his first ever half-marathon in Queensland alongside fellow Indigenous superstar Johnathan Thurston. The former Swans forward, 38, and Cowboys playmaker, 42, competed in the Gold Coast Marathon on Saturday with thousands of other runners. The pair are part of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) and are planning to run the iconic New York City Marathon later this year. They are hoping to raise $1million for the IMF, which supports programs that use running to drive physical and mental wellbeing, leadership, and resilience in First Nations communities. Franklin, who retired in 2023, took to Instagram following the race to post a shot of himself and Thurston holding up the Aboriginal flag. 'Bring on NY,' he wrote. Thurston said that the final stretch of the race was particularly difficult. 'There were some voices in the head in the last 3km, the body's aching - it's tough but very enjoyable,' he told News Corp. 'The knees, hamstrings, the lower back aching, the voices going just stop, but you look around and see the people running beside you, people in the street cheering you on. 'We've all got a purpose here with the Indigenous Marathon Project, so thinking about my family and the other squad members.' Franklin is excited by the challenge of running later this year in New York. 'I've done a lot of work for this, obviously playing football for 19 years and then retiring, I think it's really been great for me,' he said. 'It's been really structured and I've set aside a few hours every day to make sure I'm fit enough to get through. 'Literally every six to seven weeks there's a progression which is really good … I think with all the other guys and women doing it with the foundation it's going to be pretty cool to see the progression.' The sports stars are still very competitive, but Franklin says Thurston is the better long-distance runner. 'We've been on the WhatsApp group together and he's been updating me, and I've been pretty impressed with his running,' he said. 'He'll have me covered, there's no doubt about that.' Last month it was revealed that Franklin and his wife Jesinta are expecting their third child together. In a candid video, Jesinta shared a silhouette of herself cradling her growing baby bump while her two children, daughter Tullulah, five, and son Rocky, four, played around her. One segment showed Rocky kissing his mum's pregnant belly. 'Tullulah & Rocky are getting a baby brother or sister for Christmas. The most beautiful surprise of all,' the model captioned her post.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maroons guns of past help Dolphins spine shine: Katoa
Dolphins star half Isaiya Katoa is a true NSW Blue in waiting, but he has credited video sessions watching one of Queensland's greatest spine combinations for the dazzling attack of his side. The Dolphins have scored a combined 100 points in their past two matches, with a record-breaking 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on Friday night following a 44-8 demolition of competition leaders Canterbury before their bye. "We have a spine meeting where our nine, six, seven and one come together," Katoa said after his man-of-the-match display against the Dragons. "Some of the clips we look at are Cameron Smith, JT (Johnathan Thurston), Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater all connecting (for the Maroons). "The more they connected the more success their team had. We are trying to build that into our own games and still try to play to our individual strengths. It is a work in progress for us." Built on steely defence, the past two Dolphins wins have also featured the creative wares of halves Kodi Nikorima and Katoa at their best. Dazzling fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was on Origin duties for the Canterbury clash, but scored a try double against the Dragons. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returned from an extended break with a leg laceration against the Red V. With bench hooker Kurt Donoghoe chiming in to perfection, the Dolphins attack, when on song, is as good as any side in the NRL Centres Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo have been in great touch, which is due to Nikorima and Katoa connecting so well together as a duo and not just sitting on their own sides of the field. "We speak about (combining) all week. Over the pre-season we were working really hard at trying to find each other on the field, whether I come over to the left side or Kodi comes over to the right side," Katoa said "The more we can find each other the more we can find guys like Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow), Herbie and Jake on the outside. With the speed and strike they have, you need to keep giving them the footy." Once again it is the old Maroons halves pairing that Katoa has learned so much from. "The two that come to mind are Cooper Cronk and JT, just the way they were always talking to each other, playing both sides of the field and mixing it up at times," Katoa said. "It is something me and Kodi base our game off." The Dolphins are now in seventh position on the ladder and play North Queensland away next Saturday night.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Concussion forces teen rugby player to retire amid tackling age warning
Riley Mansfield grew up wanting to play for the North Queensland Cowboys like his idol Johnathan Thurston. He was on all the right pathways, playing in the elite Dolphins Cup competition in Queensland. But the promising teenage footballer has hung up his footy boots and retired, aged 15, following repeated concussions. "I want to be back out there." Riley's mum, Kristy, said his head knocks were so bad, her son spent weeks vomiting and feeling sick afterwards. "He was suffering significant kinds of symptoms, so very, very light sensitive, noise sensitive, severe headaches and he's got a pretty strong pain threshold," she said. "It took us about six weeks to gradually introduce him back into normal activities, so that meant he wasn't able to do school for a period of time. "As a mum it's been hard because just knowing how much your son loves football and playing and he's such an active kid." An expert is now warning children should not be involved in tackling in sport until they are at least 12, after releasing joint research last month. "One of the big reasons is they have obviously a larger head and weaker neck muscles, which puts them at a little bit more risk of some of those rotational linear forces," said Griffith University lecturer in exercise science and physiology Joel Garrett. "Plus, with that developing brain they potentially may be at greater risk of [harm to] long-term brain growth and development as well," Dr Garrett said. So why the age of 12? "Around the ages of eight to 12 is a sweet spot for children's cognitive and motor development," Dr Garrett said. "An eight-year-old, for instance, may struggle with the rapid judgements required to align their shoulder and brace their neck properly when tackling a moving player. "By the age of 12 they may have the ability to make those last-second changes if need be and execute a good tackle that's both safe for them but also the person they're tackling." But Dr Garrett said delaying full-body contact — such as tackling — in junior sport remained controversial. "We don't want it just to be like, 'No tackling,'" he said. "We firmly believe that we need a progression to that and having a really structured plan." For the Mansfield family from Rockhampton in rugby league heartland in central Queensland, Riley's latest concussion in April was a case of deja vu. Riley's dad, Andrew, suffered a broken neck on the same football field in Mackay at the same age of 15. "That was my last game of footy," Andrew said. "I was the width of a piece of hair to not walking ever again." After consultation with a team of neurologists in Brisbane, Riley has been told not to return to contact sport for five years. Kristy said she hoped that all sporting codes across the country continued to shift attitudes regarding concussion through education and awareness like rugby league. "Riley's grown up with footy and it's great to see that the sport is taking it seriously and ensuring that the players are taking the time out they need to be able to recover before they go back and play again," she said. With Riley's dreams of playing in the NRL are over at the tender age of 15, the talented teenager has turned his focus to another sport. Every weekend, Riley hits the softball diamonds, along with his parents, and he has already earned state and national team selection. "He's got a massive future [in softball] and can whack a golf ball too … but still can't out drive Dad yet," Andrew said.
