“What a joke”: Johns fires back at reports that AFL is taking over in Sydney

SEN’s Matty Johns has taken aim at “disrespectful” claims that the AFL could eventually take over the NRL as Sydney’s preferred sport.

The notion was first brought forward by the Herald Sun’s Chief Football Reporter Mark Robinson, who stated on AFL 360, “Before we're dead, AFL will take over the rugby league (in Sydney). I'm telling you”.

Robinson’s comments have caused a stir in the northern states, with ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys labelling it as “delusional”, before pointing to the AFL’s disappointing free-to-air TV ratings in the Harbour City, despite sell-out crowds at the SCG across the finals series.

Johns like V’landys didn’t take kindly to the comments and poured cold water on any notion that the NRL could be taken out from the top spot in Sydney.

“The stuff in the paper that they’ve come out with (saying), ‘Look at our crowds, it’s only a matter of time before take over the NRL’, Oh my God, what a joke,” Johns said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.

“Only people who do not understand the mindset of Sydney people would even say that.

“48,000 Swans, good on them, if you counted faces it would be 10,000, everyone is there to be seen, there’s people with their backs turned to the sport.

“You go to Western Sydney, talk to Panthers fans, talk to Tigers fans (and) Dogs fans, and ask what they think about AFL, they wouldn’t even know what the sport is.”

Johns emphasised that his comments weren’t aimed at AFL players but more the game’s administrators and external media.

“I think the blokes who play are really good blokes and I do respect the sport, I just find the administrators and everything around it they just rub me the wrong way,” Johns added.

“I find them naïve and disrespectful of our city and our culture.”

When asked about the controversial 2024 Brownlow Medal going the way of Carlton's Patrick Cripps, Johns admitted he wouldn’t recognise him in public.

“Would not even know who he (Cripps) is,” Johns said.

“He could actually turn up at my back door and say, ‘Hey, how are you,’ I would not have a clue (who he is).”

The Swans will contest the 2024 AFL Grand Final up against the Brisbane Lions, with no Victorian teams featuring.