Johns: Worth the risk?

[Danny]

Yes, he was the best player in the NRL last season, a living god in Newcastle and one of the most sort after footballers for 2005.......BUT........ is he worth the risk? Far from being injury free in the past and recovering from his most recent ACL replacement, how well will he scrub up? I know if it was my huge investment, I'd want to be sure my money is on a winner not a fizzer.

What do you think, is he worth the risk?

[Monica]

I have to agree with you there, Danny. Johns is highly unstable physically. But it's become a two-sided debate - between the club and Andrew, on if he thinks he can, and if they think he can. And this in turn comes down to the Knights Sports Physician, Neil Halpin. If Neil can give Joey the go ahead after the injuries he's sustained over the past few years (some operations of which Dr. Halpin himself performed), then we can do no more than pray. In NRL it seems that injuries are generally unable to be predicted (think back to Andrew's back in that infamous Dragons/Knights game...). I'm not so blind as to simply dismiss a player's history as a cause of future injuries, but it's not always the case. Some players have treatment, and no future complications; others breakdown. We can only guess at what happens next for him... but I wish Andrew all the best for a long and safe career.

I'll admit relief at his not going to union - having done so much in the past, his chances of breakdown exploded at the prospect of the 'ruck and maul'...