Johns brothers set aside long-running feud in stunning mutiny against Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien: 'When Andrew Johns talks, people listen'

They may have spent the best part of 2023 locked in a bitter feud, but the Johns brothers have found a common foe in Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien. 

Andrew and Matthew Johns are both premiership winning Newcastle legends and have worked with the club extensively since their playing days came to an end.

But despite being brothers, they do not always see eye-to-eye and a public feud erupted last year when Matthew appeared to show support to Queensland at State of Origin time.

Matthew heaped praised on Maroons coach Billy Slater which earned the ire of 'Joey' Johns.

'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,' Matthew said at the time.

'Queensland know exactly how they're going to play and who they need to pick to make that happen.' 

Joey shot back: 'Put your Maroon jersey on, you should have some at home. Just because you played four games and lost four doesn't mean you need to sh-t bag NSW.'

That feud extended deep into 2023, with Matthew blocked from Andrew's 52nd birthday celebrations while Joey also quit his spot on SEN's Morning Glory with Matty Johns program.

The Johns brothers are firmly united now, though, with both lining up to take shots at the Newcastle coach after the Knights' 32-2 round 13 loss to the Bulldogs.

That lack of potency in attack led Andrew to call for English recruit Will Pryce his NRL debut.

'They have to pull the trigger next week ... they have to make a decision because Cogger and also Hastings have had no speed in the way they have played,' Johns said.

'There is no strength or running threat, and all the movement and the passing has been sideways.

'They have to put Will Pryce in next week. There might be deficiencies in his game, but they have to do something.'

O'Brien reported ignored phone calls from the eighth Immortal and picked Hastings and Cogger anyway in the club's loss to Melbourne on Sunday.

He also dismissed Andrew's suggestions in the post-match press conference after the Bulldogs loss.

'I think Will's still learning the game out here to be honest. I don't know how many games Joey has watched of NSW Cup, but he (Pryce) hasn't had many back-to-back good ones,' he said.

Matthew then rushed in to defend his brother, despite their recent long-running feud, and said the Knights should show more respect to a club legend on The Matty Johns Podcast.

'Let me just clarify this. Me and Joey clash over a lot of things. Surprise. Surprise,' Matthew said.

'He [Joey] said after the game, 'It's time to give Will Pryce a go'. Now, Will Pryce is a young player they got from England. He's the son of Leon Pryce. His dad was a great player.

'Will's a great runner of the football. He's raw, but Joey said, 'It's time to give him an opportunity'.

'He plays in the halves. He can play fullback. I actually think they should give him a go at No. 14 [on the bench]. And just give him a little bit of a taste of it.

'Now listen, as I said before I can take the piss out of Joey as good as anyone, And I'm allowed to because we have the same blood pumping through our veins,' Matthew continued.

'But, Adam, it's Joey Johns. The name's on the grandstand. Heed the advice. There you go.

'When Andrew Johns talks, people listen. I mean, I don't, but people listen.'

Matthew Johns confirmed in August that they still hadn't resolved their issues, but reports indicate their relationship improved over the summer.