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SEA Eagles halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans were excited to start working closely with Andrew Johns as the rugby league Immortal started his new coaching role with the club today.
There was a real buzz in the air as Manly's prize recruit attended training at Narrabeen decked out in his maroon and white kit.
It was a sight to gladden the heart of all Manly fans.
One of Johns' key roles as specialist coach will be spending time honing the skills of talented pair Foran and Cherry-Evans.
"I wasn't happy with my season, it was interrupted by injury after injury," Foran said.
"That is in the past now and I just want to look to have a big year next season.
"I want to keep doing sessions with Joey and hopefully that will get me back on top of my game.
"I'm rapt he has jumped on board. He will bring a hell of a lot of knowledge and experience.
"Everyone has seen what he is capable of doing in the halves at clubs.
"It's great we have now got him to ourselves."
Cherry-Evans said there was definitely room for improvement in his game as well. "And Joey, I am sure, is going to be there to work for me on a personal level and it's going to be really exciting to see the progress," Cherry-Evans said.
After his first session Johns said he saw plenty of potential at the club and pointed out that Foran and Cherry-Evans were still very young. "I think they still have a lot of improvement in them and they want to improve which is great to see," Johns said.
Head coach Geoff Toovey said Johns was a great mentor and believes he can take the scrumbase pair to the next level.
``That's what his job is to add that little extra and we believe he is capable of doing that to our halves,'' he said.
"It's great to have him exclusively at the club.
"I'm looking forward to working with him and the players are really excited."
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/not-alf-happy-joey/
ANDREW Johns says no one can question his loyalty after his decision to work exclusively with the Sea Eagles.
``I knew it would come up, that's just natural because my name is synonymous with Newcastle,'' the game's greatest halfback said.
``I know people are questioning my loyalty and all this sort of stuff.
``I played my whole life at Newcastle and no one could question my loyalty to Newcastle, it's a club I love.
``I'm a life member there and it will always be my club. But I haven't lived there for five years, I haven't played there for five years.
``I suppose life goes on doesn't it, things change.''
Johns pointed out that while he had done consultancy with other clubs he had lived on the northern beaches for five years.
``I was getting sick of getting up at five in the morning and rushing to the airport,'' he said.
``I was just chasing my tail all the time.
``I am five minutes down the road, it's so easy for me and I am really excited now to work with this group of guys.''
He has worked with the Sea Eagles over the past four years. ntsGand they are a perfect fit.nteIn his new role Johns will also provide his expertise through the grades and with the juniors.
``And I will do some work with the local clubs here,'' he said.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/nrl-sea-eagles-joey-johns-says-no-can-question-his-loyalty/