Andrew Johns' behaviour was damaging to Gai Waterhouse and John Singleton ndrew Johns, shocked at being the 8th immortal. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited For many years, the rugby league world turned a blind eye to the off-field behaviour of Andrew Johns. He has been excused for using recreational drugs, racism and for unacceptable behaviour in a range of situations. He was forgiven all of his sins and handed a career in the media because he was, quite simply, stunningly good on the football field. Johns was last year named an Immortal in controversial circumstances. Old timers thought the honour was misplaced. When the experts voted, they were told to disregard everything except performance on the field. They had no choice, then, other than to bestow the Immortal mantle on this prodigiously gifted footballer. Joey exists in a parallel world to most of us. This week he behaved as if he could emerge unscathed from the inquiry into the More Joyous affair. He did not appear before a stewards inquiry and it remains unclear what exactly he was told by Tom Waterhouse about the form of the horse going into the race two weeks ago. His version of events has appeared to have changed several times and now, under enormous public pressure, he will turn up to give evidence when the inquiry is reconvened next week. Apart from Gai's outrageous outburst against John Singleton, when she accused him of being a drunk, the most sensational evidence came from Singo discussing a meeting he had with Johns earlier in the week. Singo said Johns turned up looking dishevelled and convinced that he would be "collateral damage" at the Nine Network because of the $12 million contract Tom Waterhouse has with Nine to advertise his bookmaking business during the rugby league coverage. Singo has been frank about his view of Johns since then. He says his opinion of him has diminished somewhat and he is disappointed in the way Johns has dodged the inquiry. How can you be so strong on the field and so weak off it? Singo asked. This is a question some have asked privately for years. Johns is currently claiming he was not told by Tom Waterhouse that the horse was unfit to race and could not win, even though original versions of his comments to brothel owner Eddie Hayson and former jockey Allan Robinson suggest otherwise. Johns has created a mess, his behaviour may have damaged a long-term relationship between Waterhouse and Singleton and thrown the Waterhouse clan's seeming conflict of interest firmly into the spotlight. In the meantime, he made a half denial on Nine before going to ground completely. He denied, denied, denied. While the bomb he detonated blew up round him, Johns told a Seven news crew outside his house to "f . . . off" and did not appear at the stewards' inquiry. Wherever the truth lies in this mess, one fact has emerged from all of it. Andrew Johns continues to flout conventional behavioural codes of conduct in his life. He has changed his version of events and insists on mixing with the likes of brothel owner and gambler Eddie Hayson. He has behaved as if he can emerge unscathed from lighting a fire that has led to the biggest racing inquiry since the Fine Cotton affair. Singleton has every right to feel miffed with Johns. His own reputation has been tarnished this week and for a young man who often turned to Singleton for advice and help, Johns has done little to save his old mate from being permanently damaged by the More Joyous affair. This has all been done to save his bacon at the Nine Network, where he is part of the league coverage. I have very little doubt that no matter what Johns ends up saying to the stewards, his bottom will continue to warm a seat on the Channel Nine footy coverage. Such is the nature of modern football that television networks have joined clubs in becoming apologists for players who were never taught normal behavioural boundaries. Andrew "Joey" Johns was the second best player I have seen in my lifetime, a shade behind Wally Lewis. Talent aside, he is now a test case for the Immortal concept. Should panels of experts disregard off-field indiscretions and just vote for on-field performances? Even with the honour bestowed on him, Johns continues to live a life on the edge, one that is often immune to rules and a sense of fair play. He has one shot at redemption. Needless to say his minders and mates will tell him to dodge a bullet and keep denying. If he really wants to start earning his Immortal title, though, he should tell the absolute truth to the stewards and to John Singleton. It's the least he can do.