EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns calls out 'puzzling and humorous' hypocrisy in NRL contract sagas
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Andrew Johns believes the double standards surrounding NRL players leaving clubs has become "humorous and puzzling" in the wake of recent events.
The news cycle has been dominated by contract sagas this year, with Lachlan Galvin's decision to leave the Wests Tigers garnering a huge negative reaction.
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This week, reports started to centre around the Sydney Roosters forcing two of their players out the door, with both Brandon Smith and Dom Young set to quit their contracts early.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour, the league legend reacted to the issues and the "uproar" that Galvin had to face compared to the Roosters.
Brandon Smith and Lachlan Galvin are both leaving their respective clubs. Getty
"You know what I find a little bit - I wouldn't say hypocritical, but humorous - is when Lachie Galvin left, there was uproar," Johns said.
"But the other way around, when the club rissoles the player, there's nothing.
"I just find it puzzling and humorous."
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Young still has more than two years left on his deal at Bondi, but has been told he is free to negotiate and sign with a rival club effective immediately.
The 23-year-old English winger is expected to return to the Newcastle Knights, which according to Johns is the right move for all parties.
Dom Young could be gone from the Roosters soon. Getty
"He's been poor this year Dominic and defensively he has really struggled ... there's been some errors and he's down on confidence," he said.
"The emergence of Mark Nawaqanitawase, and Daniel Tupou has signed for another year … so (Young) gets pushed out. I think he'll head back [to Newcastle] for sure.
"I think he gets his confidence back."
As for Smith, all signs point towards the dummy-half joining South Sydney in the coming days, despite the Roosters initially wanting him to stay until the end of 2025.
Johns is adamant that the Rabbitohs are the right fit for the Kiwi international.
"If anyone can coach larrikins and players who sail close to the wind, it's Wayne Bennett and I think there will be that trust between coach and player," he said.
"I think they'll get the best out of Brandon. I hope Brandon kicks on like he did at Melbourne, because he's such a great fella."
Teenage playmaker Galvin caused uproar among Tigers fans when his agent knocked back a lucrative contract extension last month.
He is still tied to the club until the end of 2026 but it was widely speculated he would pack his bags and leave early, after obvious and public animosity from several teammates following the decision.
