Just rewatched Origin 2005 game 2

[Freakzilla]

Andrew Johns was incredible. He was in everything. Played both right and left side. He had Minichello running off his hip all game long. His kicking game was way ahead of anybody ever. His workrate in attack is way more than any halfback these days. Man I miss the days of those types of halves.

NSW spine that game was Minichello-Anasta-Johns-Buderus.
QLD spine that game was Slater-Lockyer-Thurston-Smith.

 

[FaceBreaker]

Barrett was injured and Johns came in for game 2.

Fuck he owned that game, completely dominated. I haven't seen a half dominate a game like that at rep level ever since.

 

[Freakzilla]

Barrett was injured and Johns came in for game 2.

Fuck he owned that game, completely dominated. I haven't seen a half dominate a game like that at rep level ever since.

He had played 1 game in the previous 8 weeks. In game 3 up in QLD he destroyed them again and we won by about 20.

 

[FaceBreaker]

He had played 1 game in the previous 8 weeks. In game 3 up in QLD he destroyed them again and we won by about 20.

Yep that makes it even more special.

QLD knew he was going to be a threat for game 3 and would have worked out a game plan for him, yet he still dominated them.

No surprise he's an immortal.

 

[Brizdog]

No coincidence NSW dominance ended when he retired

 

[Freakzilla]

No coincidence NSW dominance ended when he retired

If NSW had Joey at his peak instead of Mitchell Pearce all these years we would've won more series than QLD and no one would ever have said Thurston, Slater, Inglis and Cronk are immortals.

 

[Brizdog]

If NSW had Joey at his peak instead of Mitchell Pearce all these years we would've won more series than QLD and no one would ever have said Thurston, Slater, Inglis and Cronk are immortals.

Very true. He was that good. Those close games he could have closed out.

 

[UmoGus]

Johns was a fucking animal

 

[Flanagun]

Whomever says Thurston is GOAT doesn't remember Joey tbh. I don't think this world will ever see another rugby league player as talented as that douche!

 

[Freakzilla]

It's like he had the ball on a string and touched the ball like 3 or 4 tackles every set.

 

[Freakzilla]

Very true. He was that good. Those close games he could have closed out.

100%. We lost so many games by 1 or 2 points with Pearce as halfback. Joey is worth 1 or 2 tries a game easy.

 

[Freakzilla]

Also Braith Anasta had a good game outside Joey. Joey made everyone lift their game.

 

[Freakzilla]

 

[Brizdog]

Wow its depressing watching Joey do those things. It might be a long time until we see another joey in the NSW.

 

[Kila R Ralai]

He was one of the most naturally gifted player I have a seen. You put him the current Newcastle Team & they would win more games than lose.

 

[Freakzilla]

He was one of the most naturally gifted player I have a seen. You put him the current Newcastle Team & they would win more games than lose.

They make thee semis

 

[Gallo2014]

If NSW had Joey at his peak instead of Mitchell Pearce all these years we would've won more series than QLD and no one would ever have said Thurston, Slater, Inglis and Cronk are immortals.

Yeah BUT there hasn't been a half back closer to Johns for NSW since so what is the point of blaming Pearce? There have been probably 5 or more half backs from QLD better than any NSW since Johns. Blame the game in NSW for not producing better players.

 

[Freakzilla]

Yeah BUT there hasn't been a half back closer to Johns for NSW since so what is the point of blaming Pearce? There have been probably 5 or more half backs from QLD better than any NSW since Johns. Blame the game in NSW for not producing better players.

Because Pearce isn't even average at Origin level. He is terrible. We are better without him.

 

[Gallo2014]

Because Pearce isn't even average at Origin level. He is terrible. We are better without him.

Well fortunately OR unfortunately, Joe Blow and his merry men from social media don't pick the team.... Also, ALL writers and TV & radio commentators DON'T Blame Pearce for what happened, OR more like EVERYONE is to blame. If fatShit Woods & Fifita are just skipping around like little girls in a playground...or Ferguson lets in 3 easy tries from his opposition winger OR Dugan drops to soft passes in the 1st half...or the other numerous mistakes made by other players...how is that Pearce's fault ALONE? There is no other better #7 in NSW...deal with it!

 

[Freakzilla]

Well fortunately OR unfortunately, Joe Blow and his merry men from social media don't pick the team.... Also, ALL writers and TV & radio commentators DON'T Blame Pearce for what happened, OR more like EVERYONE is to blame. If fatShit Woods & Fifita are just skipping around like little girls in a playground...or Ferguson lets in 3 easy tries from his opposition winger OR Dugan drops to soft passes in the 1st half...or the other numerous mistakes made by other players...how is that Pearce's fault ALONE? There is no other better #7 in NSW...deal with it!

All I'll say is this. If anyone thinks Pearce should ever be NSW halfback again then they are a fucking moron and fuck off with hijacking this thread to make it about Pearce. It's about Joey's greatness.