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NRL match fixing: Andrew Johns denies playing part in gambling and partying culture at Manly
FURIOUS rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has denied he played a part in introducing a culture of gambling and partying to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Johns — who is a friend of controversial punter and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson — told The Daily Telegraph the claims are “ridiculous” and “ludicrous”.
The denial comes as the NSW Organised Crime Squad investigates match fixing allegations involving two games featuring Manly in 2015.
Manly insiders claim the trouble started at Brookvale when Johns was appointed as an assistant and halves consultant in 2012 under then-coach Geoff Toovey.
After Johns’ arrival, Hayson and porn shop king Con Ange attended matches and became socially involved with many of the players, including Anthony Watmough, Kieran Foran and the Stewart brothers, Brett and Glenn.
There is no suggestion those players were involved in any match fixing and Johns rejected suggestions he was the key link between Hayson and the club.
“I didn’t even go to games socially because I was working at the football for Channel 9,” Johns said. “I knew Eddie from my time at Newcastle but I didn’t attend any games with him or involve him in the Manly club.”
Johns stopped working at the club after last season when new coach Trent Barrett took over.
Senior Sea Eagles staff, who asked not to be named, say the Hayson-Johns friendship continued at Manly.
Team insiders claim Johns introduced several team members to his friend, and at least two members of the Manly squad enjoyed late-night trysts at Hayson’s multi-million dollar brothel, Stiletto.
The Telegraph does not suggest it was any player named in this story.
Johns’ previous partying and gambling sprees were well-known in league circles and allegedly involved Hayson.
Johns admitted in 2007 to regularly taking ecstasy during his brilliant playing career after being caught in possession of the drug in London.
His friendship with Hayson, which once involved racing six horses in partnership with the then brothel owner, was intense.
Johns was embroiled in a major betting scandal involving Hayson when he was still playing at Newcastle in 2006. A huge plunge on the Knights losing a match took place when the superstar halfback withdrew from the game. The announcement that he was out of the team was not revealed publicly until after the bets were placed.
Hayson reportedly won up to $1 million on the game but he only admitted to having a small wager on the outcome after reading about the injury in a newspaper.
“I injured my neck the week before in Auckland, which Eddie knew about,” Johns said. “But he didn’t win a huge amount — just a small bet.”
A subsequent NRL investigation concluded that nothing untoward had taken place.
Johns and Hayson were also embroiled in the More Joyous racing affair in 2013. Johns fronted a stewards’ inquiry after it was revealed he had told Hayson the racehorse was “off’’.
Johns had allegedly received the tip from trainer Gai Waterhouse’s son Tom, who was a Channel 9 advertiser. Tom Waterhouse and Johns were cleared of wrongdoing but Hayson was banned from racetracks for six months.
Andrew Johns now coaches with the Roosters.
FURIOUS rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has denied he played a part in introducing a culture of gambling and partying to the Manly Sea Eagles.
Johns — who is a friend of controversial punter and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson — told The Daily Telegraph the claims are “ridiculous” and “ludicrous”.
The denial comes as the NSW Organised Crime Squad investigates match fixing allegations involving two games featuring Manly in 2015.
Manly insiders claim the trouble started at Brookvale when Johns was appointed as an assistant and halves consultant in 2012 under then-coach Geoff Toovey.
After Johns’ arrival, Hayson and porn shop king Con Ange attended matches and became socially involved with many of the players, including Anthony Watmough, Kieran Foran and the Stewart brothers, Brett and Glenn.
There is no suggestion those players were involved in any match fixing and Johns rejected suggestions he was the key link between Hayson and the club.
“I didn’t even go to games socially because I was working at the football for Channel 9,” Johns said. “I knew Eddie from my time at Newcastle but I didn’t attend any games with him or involve him in the Manly club.”
Johns stopped working at the club after last season when new coach Trent Barrett took over.
Senior Sea Eagles staff, who asked not to be named, say the Hayson-Johns friendship continued at Manly.
Team insiders claim Johns introduced several team members to his friend, and at least two members of the Manly squad enjoyed late-night trysts at Hayson’s multi-million dollar brothel, Stiletto.
The Telegraph does not suggest it was any player named in this story.
Johns’ previous partying and gambling sprees were well-known in league circles and allegedly involved Hayson.
Johns admitted in 2007 to regularly taking ecstasy during his brilliant playing career after being caught in possession of the drug in London.
His friendship with Hayson, which once involved racing six horses in partnership with the then brothel owner, was intense.
Johns was embroiled in a major betting scandal involving Hayson when he was still playing at Newcastle in 2006. A huge plunge on the Knights losing a match took place when the superstar halfback withdrew from the game. The announcement that he was out of the team was not revealed publicly until after the bets were placed.
Hayson reportedly won up to $1 million on the game but he only admitted to having a small wager on the outcome after reading about the injury in a newspaper.
“I injured my neck the week before in Auckland, which Eddie knew about,” Johns said. “But he didn’t win a huge amount — just a small bet.”
A subsequent NRL investigation concluded that nothing untoward had taken place.
Johns and Hayson were also embroiled in the More Joyous racing affair in 2013. Johns fronted a stewards’ inquiry after it was revealed he had told Hayson the racehorse was “off’’.
Johns had allegedly received the tip from trainer Gai Waterhouse’s son Tom, who was a Channel 9 advertiser. Tom Waterhouse and Johns were cleared of wrongdoing but Hayson was banned from racetracks for six months.
Andrew Johns now coaches with the Roosters.
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