Cooper Johns Retires: Why He Quit NRL, Career Stats & Family

It’s rare to see a 25-year-old walk away from a professional rugby league career, especially one carrying the most famous surname in Australian sport — but Cooper Johns did exactly that in early 2025, ending a short NRL journey that spanned 19 games across two clubs. His decision to step away from the game for a career in radio raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the weight of the Johns family legacy.

Full Name: Cooper Johns ·
Born: 14 July 1999 ·
Age (as of 2025): 25 ·
Position: Five-eighth / Halfback ·
Teams Played For: Melbourne Storm, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ·
Father: Matty Johns

Nine key facts shape the Cooper Johns story:

Why did Cooper Johns quit NRL?

What led to his retirement?

• Cooper Johns announced in January 2024 that he was stepping away from the NRL, initially framing it as a break rather than a permanent retirement (Fox Sports Australia).
• He told The Sydney Morning Herald that he had started thinking about giving the game away while still at Melbourne, but decided to play one more year at Manly after moving back to the northern beaches (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• Johns reportedly passed on opportunities to continue his playing career in England’s Super League in order to start full-time work in radio (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Is retirement linked to form or family?

• Johns said he had decided to “step away for a bit” after four years in the NRL (Fox Sports Australia).
• He joined the radio show Kyle and Jackie O as on-air talent shortly after leaving the sport (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• A January 2026 report quoted Kyle Sandilands saying Johns left because other opportunities offered better pay (MSN Australia).

Is Cooper Johns Matty Johns’ son?

Who is Matty Johns?

• Matty Johns is a former NRL star who played for the Newcastle Knights, St. George Illawarra Dragons, and South Sydney Rabbitohs (Wikipedia).
• He is also a well-known television commentator and media personality in Australia.
• Matty Johns is the younger brother of Andrew Johns, widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby league players of all time (Wikipedia).

The Johns family rugby league legacy

• Cooper Johns is the son of Matty Johns, making him part of the third generation of the Johns family in rugby league.
• His older brother Jack Johns also played in the NRL for the Newcastle Knights (Wikipedia).
• Uncle Andrew Johns (“The Immortal”) is a legendary figure, and the family name carries immense weight in Australian rugby league.

Cooper’s relationship with his father

• Cooper has spoken publicly about the influence of his father, Matty, on his career and decision to retire.
• In an interview, he said he wanted to “take down his famous father” in the media world (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• Matty Johns has publicly supported his son’s decision, noting the pressure of living up to a family legacy.

Who did Cooper Johns play for?

Melbourne Storm career

• Cooper Johns made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm in the 2020 season (Rugby League Project).
• He played 11 games for the Storm across three seasons (2020–2022), scoring 1 try (AFL Tables).
• His time at Melbourne was limited by the presence of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes in the halves.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles stint

• Johns joined the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2023 season (Fox Sports Australia).
• He played 8 games for Manly in 2023, his most productive season in terms of appearances (AFL Tables).
• He did not play any NRL games for Manly in 2024 before stepping away from the sport.

NRL Nines appearances

• Johns also participated in the NRL Nines tournament, representing the Melbourne Storm (Rugby League Project).
• The NRL Nines is a pre-season competition that showcases younger and fringe players.

How many games did Cooper Johns play?

NRL regular season games

• Cooper Johns played a total of 19 NRL games across four seasons (2020–2023) (AFL Tables).
• Breakdown: 2 games in 2020, 5 in 2021, 4 in 2022 (all for Melbourne), and 8 in 2023 for Manly (AFL Tables).
• He scored 1 try (4 points) in his NRL career (AFL Tables).

Pre-season and Nines games

• Johns also played in the NRL Nines tournament, though exact statistics are not formally recorded in official NRL stats.
• His total professional appearances including pre-season and Nines likely exceed 20.

Comparison to brother Jack

• Cooper’s older brother Jack Johns played 12 NRL games for the Newcastle Knights between 2020 and 2023 (Wikipedia).
• Jack’s career was also short, but he played more games than Cooper.
• Both brothers retired from the NRL before turning 30.

Who is Cooper Johns’ brother?

Jack Johns’ career

• Jack Johns, Cooper’s older brother, played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL from 2020 to 2023 (Wikipedia).
• He made 12 appearances and also played in the NSW Cup.
• Jack retired from professional rugby league in 2023, a year before Cooper stepped away.

Both Johns brothers in the NRL

• Cooper and Jack are the sons of Matty Johns and nephews of Andrew Johns.
• They are the only sons of a former NRL player to both reach the NRL in the same era.
• Their combined NRL career lasted from 2020 to 2023, with no overlap in the same team.

Family dynamics

• Matty Johns has spoken about the pressure his sons faced with the Johns name.
• Cooper and Jack remain close, supporting each other’s post-football careers.
• Cooper has said he wanted to “take down” his father in the media, indicating a competitive family dynamic (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Timeline

• 14 July 1999 – Born in Australia (Wikipedia)
• 2020 – NRL debut for Melbourne Storm (Rugby League Project)
• 2022 – Last season with Melbourne Storm (AFL Tables)
• 2023 – Moved to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, played 8 games (Fox Sports Australia)
• January 2024 – Announced stepping away from NRL (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• Early 2025 – Official retirement from NRL (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The pattern: Cooper’s timeline traces a brief NRL career that ended just as he reached his mid-20s, choosing media over football.

What we know for sure vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born 14 July 1999 (Wikipedia)
• Father: Matty Johns (Wikipedia)
• Brother: Jack Johns (Wikipedia)
• Played for Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles (AFL Tables)
• Retired early 2025 (Fox Sports Australia)
• Played 19 NRL games (AFL Tables)
• Scored 1 try (AFL Tables)
• Joined Kyle and Jackie O show in 2024 (The Sydney Morning Herald)

What remains unclear

• Mother’s identity (not publicly discussed)
• Salary and net worth figures (not confirmed)
• Height and weight (not listed in official profiles)
• Specific post-retirement plans beyond radio
• Exact reasons for decision to leave Manly mid-2024
• Whether Cooper Johns has other siblings (only Jack is known)
• Exact timeline of his decision to leave Manly mid-2024

What this means: The confirmed facts are well-documented, but the opaque areas – salary, family details – leave room for speculation.

Quotes from Cooper and Matty Johns

“I decided to step away for a bit after four years in the NRL. I’m grateful for the opportunities and excited for what’s next.”

— Cooper Johns, via Instagram, January 2024 (reported by Fox Sports Australia)

“I’m proud of Cooper for making his own call. The Johns name is a heavy load, but he’s found his own path.”

— Matty Johns, in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald

The implication: Both father and son acknowledge the weight of the Johns name, but see Cooper’s media pivot as a separate identity.

Summary

Cooper Johns walked away from the NRL at 25 after 19 games, trading the footy field for a radio microphone. His decision underscores a shifting reality in Australian rugby league: family legacy alone no longer guarantees a long career. For the next generation of the Johns family, the choice is clear — either carve your own path in the media, or risk being overshadowed by the immortals who came before.

Related reading: Cooper Johns quit footy for Kyle and Jackie O and to take down his famous father · NRL 2024: Cooper Johns steps away from NRL to join Kyle and Jackie O show

Frequently asked questions