Andrew Johns, the greatest league player of all time

Andrew “Joey” Johns was recently inducted into the Australian team of the century as the best half back to come from down under.  He was one of only three nearly unanimous decisions. 

The Newcastle Knights legend played 249 games for the club – being instrumental in their two premiership victories. He joined the ranks of the club as a junior at the age of 15, and four years later came off the bench several times in the 1993 season. The Knights incumbent halfback, Matthew Rodwell injured himself and so began the era as Johns was handed his first starting position in the beginning of 1994. 

Playing against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he scored 23 points and was named man of the match in his first full game.
In the 1997 season, Johns guided Newcastle to their first Grand Final appearance, against the might of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, whom were defending champions and minor premiers (the award given to the regular season’s best team). 

Despite suffering horrendous injuries in the semi-final victory against the Cronulla Sharks – Johns defied his critics and played in the Grand Final. With regular time nearly up, and the scores tied at 16 a piece, Johns ran out of position down the blind slipping a miracle pass to his winger Darren Albert. This play has since gone down in the annals of history as it gave the Knights victory with only six seconds remaining and secured Newcastle their maiden Australian premiership title.