Matty Johns and his brother Andrew have not always seen eye-to-eye in life.
Like many siblings, they’ve bickered, argued and even come to blows.
But they have always been able to put their differences aside and bury the hatchet.
The rugby league duo are two of the sport’s most well-known figures for their achievements in the game.
While playing at Newcastle, the pair led the Knights to their 1997 premiership triumph. They would also go on to represent New South Wales and the Kangaroos.
But despite helping the Knights clinch the premiership, Matty has revealed what he thinks is his greatest-ever triumph.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he revealed he and his brother were involved in a scuffle outside The Cricketers Arms pub in Newcastle.
He joked that he had landed a punch on the chin of his brother, whose nickname is ‘Joey’, before claiming: ‘Joey was my greatest victory, outside the Cricketers Arms Hotel.’
The pair most recently were at loggerheads over a comment Matty made on the radio regarding New South Wales’ Origin side.
Andrew had previously worked as an assistant coach of the Blues, with his brother lumping praise Queensland boss Billy Slater.
The comments did not sit kindly with Andrew, with the pair subsequently not speaking for nine months.
On SEN’s Morning Glory radio show, Matty had said: ‘Billy Slater’s close to the best coach in the game. You just know how he explains, how he coaches, the intracacies, the players absolutely love him. Queensland know exactly how they’re going to play and who they need to pick to make that happen.’
But Andrew hit back: ‘Put your Maroon jersey on, you should have some at home.
‘Just because you played four games and lost four doesn’t mean you need to sh-t bag NSW. I’m sick of you (pumping up) Queensland. Keep blowing hot air up their a****.’
It was Matty’s son, Jack, 27, who was the catalyst that ended their feud, after making a surprise visit to Andrew’s house.
Matty Johns (left) has opened up on how he was once involved in a fist-fight with his brother Andrew Johns (right)
The pair have notoriously fallen out in recent years over Matty’s (left) comments on State of Origin
His son, who has played for the Rabbitohs and the Knights had tricked his father into visiting his brother.
‘We opened the door and he was there, and we just cuddled, sat down, and had a beer,’ Matty said.
‘That was it. Then we walked out again and that’s as simple as that.
‘I don’t know if we’ve spoken inadvertently since then, but everything is sweet.’
Matty also opened up on his upbringing and shed light on how his father, Gary, had to juggle his work and family responsibilities.
Gary, a coal miner, had to work long shifts to provide for his family, with Matty admitting he felt he had to step up as the man of the house when his father was away.
‘His shift started at midnight for a long time growing up,’ he said.
‘I was the eldest son. You have to take a fair bit of that on.’
But it seems the pair are on fairly good terms despite not regularly speaking to eachother
Johns learned quickly about how to balance his responsibilities alongside enjoying a ‘good time’.
‘It’s a constant battle between the love of your children, the love of your wife, and the love of a good time,’ Johns says.