If you grew up watching rugby league in the 1990s, chances are you can picture Matthew Johns in the Newcastle Knights’ red and blue, or hear his voice now on a podcast or radio show. But behind the on-air banter lies a complex story of a career pivot, a famous sibling rivalry that eventually cooled, and a surprising new chapter involving one of the NRL’s newest ownership groups.
Full name: Matthew James Johns ·
Born: 27 July 1971 ·
NRL clubs: Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs ·
Position: Five-eighth, lock ·
Current role: Media personality, commentator, podcaster
Quick snapshot
- Matthew Johns was born on 27 July 1971 in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales (Rugby League Project)
- He played 198 premiership matches and scored 30 tries (Rugby League Project)
- He represented Australia in 9 Test matches (Rugby League Project)
- Exact salary figures for his media roles are not publicly disclosed
- The full details of his real estate investments remain private
- Specifics about his current SEN radio commitments are reported but not widely confirmed
- 2024: Public reconciliation with brother Andrew Johns (Newy 87.8 FM)
- 2025: Joined Gold Coast Titans ownership group (LISTNR Articles)
- Continued podcast output via The Matty Johns Podcast
- Ongoing involvement with Gold Coast Titans ownership
- Potential further projects in Papua New Guinea
Six key numbers tell the story of a sporting career that was substantial but not Hall-of-Fame level — yet the second act in media has made him one of the most recognisable voices in the game. Here’s the data, side by side.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 July 1971 |
| Birthplace | Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia |
| Premiership matches | 198 |
| Tries scored | 30 |
| Australia Test caps | 9 |
| State of Origin appearances | 4 (per IMDb biography) |
| Clubs | Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Position | Five-eighth, lock |
| Current role | Media personality, co-host of The Matty Johns Podcast (per Watch NRL) |
| Spouse | Trish Johns (per IMDb biography) |
The pattern here isn’t about individual glory — it’s about longevity and reinvention. His playing stats are solid but not legendary, which makes his transition to a media career where he’s arguably far more famous all the more striking.
What happened between Andrew Johns and Matty Johns?
For years, the relationship between the two most famous brothers in Australian rugby league was a topic of quiet speculation. The public narrative shifted in August 2024 when reports emerged of a formal reconciliation.
The fallout from the latest rift
The most recent falling out reportedly began during the 2023 State of Origin series, with the cause being Matthew’s on-air praise for Billy Slater. According to a report from Newy 87.8 FM (local Newcastle radio), the comment didn’t sit well with Andrew, sparking a freeze that lasted well over a year.
What makes this different from earlier family spats is the public nature of it. Both brothers work in the same rugby league media bubble, appearing on rival shows and, at times, being forced into proximity during NRL coverage. The tension, according to the report, was palpable enough that fans noticed.
Public statements and reconciliation
The same August 2024 report indicated that the peace was brokered by a family intervention, led by Matthew’s son Jack. The intervention apparently worked — the brothers have since been described as on good terms, appearing together on The Johns Family Podcast.
The implication: the “feud” wasn’t a one-off argument but a pattern of professional jealousy and family loyalty colliding. The fix, interestingly, came from the next generation rather than from within the media ecosystem both brothers inhabit.
Bottom line: Matthew Johns and Andrew Johns ended a year-long estrangement in 2024 after a family intervention, resetting one of rugby league’s most talked-about sibling relationships.
What is Matthew Johns doing now?
Matthew Johns is busier now than he was as a player. His current portfolio spans radio, podcasting, TV commentary, and a surprising business venture announced in 2025.
Current media roles at Triple M and Fox Sports
Johns co-hosts on Triple M radio and remains a regular presence on Fox Sports NRL coverage. His role as co-host of The Matty Johns Podcast has been documented, with multiple 2024 episodes listed by Watch NRL (official NRL streaming partner). The podcast format suits him — it gives him the space to expand on tactical analysis and tell stories from his playing days that would never fit into a standard TV segment.
Podcast ventures including ‘The Johns Family Podcast’
The family podcast with brother Andrew marks a clear end to the friction. Whether it’s a one-off project or a regular production isn’t entirely clear, but its existence alone signals a shift that fans weren’t sure would ever happen.
Work in Papua New Guinea and the Gold Coast Titans
In 2025, a more unexpected development emerged. According to LISTNR Articles (NRL media partner), Matthew Johns and his wife Trish joined the Gold Coast Titans ownership group, led by majority shareholder Rebecca Frizelle. He had also been involved in rugby league development work in Papua New Guinea, further cementing his role as an ambassador for the sport’s growth beyond Australia’s east coast.
Matthew Johns is no longer just a commentator — he’s a stakeholder in the game’s financial future. The Titans ownership move puts him on the business side of the sport, a different kind of involvement than any broadcasting role.
The pattern: Matthew Johns has shifted from observer to owner, turning media influence into commercial power.
Who is Matthew Johns married to?
Matthew Johns’s personal life has stayed relatively low-key, particularly compared to his brother’s.
His wife Trish Johns
While the content plan initially referenced “Kirsten,” research notes and the IMDb biography both point to Trish Johns as his spouse. According to the IMDb biography (celebrity data platform), Matthew and Trish have been married for several decades and have two children together.
Family life and children
The couple’s son Jack is the most publicly visible of the two children — he’s the one credited with orchestrating the reconciliation between his father and uncle. The Johns family appears to place a premium on keeping their private life out of the tabloids, which is notable given how much of his professional life is spent in the public eye.
The trade-off: Matthew has traded the headline-grabbing lifestyle of a star athlete for a steadier, quieter family existence — and unlike many of his contemporaries, he seems to genuinely prefer it that way.
What is Matthew Johns known for?
The answer to this question has two distinct chapters, split neatly between his playing days and his current media career.
Rugby league playing career
Matthew Johns’s playing career is well-documented by Rugby League Project (statistics database). He played 198 premiership matches, scored 30 tries, and earned 9 Test caps for Australia. He was part of the Newcastle Knights’ 1997 premiership-winning team — though sources differ on whether he played in the final itself (per IMDb biography).
After playing for the Knights and South Sydney, he reportedly had a brief stint with Cronulla in 2002 before retiring due to shoulder and neck injuries. His State of Origin appearances are listed as 4, per the IMDb biography.
Transition to media personality
His pivot to media began in the early 2000s and accelerated when he joined Triple M Sydney’s breakfast show The Grill Team in March 2011, according to Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia). His last day on that show was 7 December 2018. Since then, his footprint has expanded across podcasts and digital content.
Matthew Johns turned a solid but unspectacular playing career into a second act that has arguably made him more influential than he ever was on the field. The key differentiator is his ability to translate insider knowledge into accessible commentary — a rare skill in rugby league media.
What this means: Matthew Johns has built a lasting media career on a foundation of solid playing credentials and communication skills, a combination that few ex-players achieve.
Do Andrew and Matthew Johns talk?
Yes — as of 2024, the brothers are reportedly on speaking terms again, following a period of estrangement.
Current relationship status
The August 2024 report from Newy 87.8 FM described the feud as originating during the 2023 State of Origin series. The same report stated that the reconciliation was facilitated by an intervention led by Matthew’s son Jack.
Joint projects and public appearances
Evidence of the mended relationship includes the existence of The Johns Family Podcast, where both brothers appear together. The fact that they’re willing to share a microphone after years of frostiness is, in itself, newsworthy for their fan base.
What this means for fans is simple: the era of having to choose between “Team Andrew” and “Team Matty” appears to be over. Whether it stays that way depends on whether the brothers can avoid the professional trigger points that caused the rift in the first place.
Clarity check: confirmed facts vs. open questions
Confirmed facts
- Matthew James Johns was born 27 July 1971 in Kurri Kurri, NSW (Rugby League Project)
- He played 198 premiership matches for Newcastle Knights and South Sydney (Rugby League Project)
- He is married to Trish Johns and has two children (IMDb biography)
- He publicly reconciled with Andrew Johns in 2024 (Newy 87.8 FM)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures for his media contracts
- The specific details of his real estate investment portfolio
- Whether his current SEN radio role is his primary commitment (per Wikipedia, described with low confidence)
- The full scope of his Papua New Guinea rugby league work
What they said
“The feud began during the 2023 State of Origin series over Matthew Johns’s praise for Billy Slater.”
— Newy 87.8 FM, on the origin of the rift
“The Titans’ ownership model was led by majority shareholder Rebecca Frizelle.”
— LISTNR Articles, on the ownership structure
“Matthew Johns is currently described as working on SEN radio’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.”
— Wikipedia, on current media roles
The one consistent thread across all these quotes is that Matthew Johns’s identity is no longer tied to what he did on the field. He’s a media operator, a family man, and now — with the Titans involvement — part of the sport’s commercial infrastructure. The consequence for his public image is positive: he’s evolved from player to pundit to part-owner, which is a trajectory very few former NRL stars manage.
Frequently asked questions
What is Matthew Johns’ net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly disclosed. His income sources include media contracts, podcasting, and the 2025 Gold Coast Titans ownership stake.
Why did Matthew Johns leave the Newcastle Knights?
He left to continue his career at South Sydney before a brief reported stint at Cronulla in 2002, retiring due to shoulder and neck injuries.
How many children does Matthew Johns have?
According to the IMDb biography, he and his wife Trish have two children, including son Jack.
What awards did Matthew Johns win as a player?
He was part of the Newcastle Knights’ 1997 premiership team and earned 9 Test caps for Australia. Specific individual awards are not widely documented.
Does Matthew Johns still play rugby league?
No. He retired from professional play in the early 2000s due to shoulder and neck injuries.
Where can I listen to Matthew Johns’ podcast?
The Matty Johns Podcast is available on major audio platforms; 2024 episodes were listed on Watch NRL.
What is Matthew Johns’ involvement with the PNG Hunters?
He has been involved in rugby league development work in Papua New Guinea as part of his broader ambassadorial role for the sport.
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Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.