Footy legend Matty Johns hits Swans fans with a stunning insult – as he hammers top AFL reporter’s ‘joke’ statement on battle of the codes

Rugby league legend Matty Johns has scoffed at suggestions AFL will eventually become Sydney’s premier footy code, declaring many Swans fans only attend home games at the SCG ‘to be seen’.

The Fox Sports identity wasn’t finished yet, stating many supporters decked out in red and white often ‘turn their backs’ on the live action.

Johns’ vicious spray comes after veteran footy reporter Mark Robinson boldly declared on AFL 360 earlier this week: ‘before we are dead, AFL will take over the rugby league in Sydney. I’m telling you.’

Robinson’s statement was labelled ‘delusional’ by ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys, who pointed to the AFL’s poor TV ratings in Sydney during the finals series that also featured the GWS Giants.

The war of words between Australia’s two leading footy codes comes as the Swans prepare to take on Brisbane Lions this Saturday in the grand final.

More than 100,000 fans will pack the MCG in a clash that features two teams from interstate for the first time since 2006.

Whether Johns – a premiership winner with the Knights in 1997 – sits down to watch the contest remains to be seen, but he made his thoughts well known on SEN Radio.

‘The stuff in the paper that they (AFL) have 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.

Johns’ vicious spray comes after veteran footy reporter Mark Robinson (pictured) boldly declared on AFL 360 earlier this week: ‘before we are dead, AFL will take over the rugby league in Sydney’

Swans fans were in the mood to celebrate after thumping Port Adelaide in the preliminary final at the SCG on September 20 (pictured) to reach another grand final

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

‘[They drew] 48,000 Swans fans, good on them…..if you counted faces it would [only] be 10,000.

‘Everyone is there to be seen, there’s people with their backs turned to the sport.’

Johns pointed to the fanaticism of NRL fans in Sydney’s west, referencing the Panthers, Tigers and Bulldogs, who he felt ‘wouldn’t even know what the AFL is.’

He admitted he ‘respects the players in the sport’ – his gripe was aimed at the code’s administrators and largely Melbourne based media.

‘I find them naïve and disrespectful of our city and our culture,’ Johns said.

‘[Brownlow Medal winner] Patrick Cripps could actually turn up at my back door and say, ‘Hey, how are you ?…I would not have a clue who he is.’