He enjoyed a day out at Randwick yesterday, but grief and depression may be just around the corner for Andrew Johns.

Before he attended the races, Johns admitted his thoughts were still in a whirl. "To be honest, my head is still spinning," he said.

When that spinning stops, Johns may spiral into depression, according to Macquarie University sports psychology expert and mentor Deidre Anderson, who guided the retirements of Olympic champions Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman.

"He may go through a bit of depression; that may last a day, a week or a year," Anderson said. "Anger may also kick in."

Anderson said it was important that Johns surrounded himself with people he trusted and who would listen during the tough times, but that professional help might not be necessary.

"In the case of Andrew, he's got to work through it in the way that he thinks will best suit him," Anderson said.

"If it's working with his brother, who's been through something similar, his parents, or family, it could work out quite well for him. You don't always need someone else to help you through that process."

It was also important that Johns "de-trained", Anderson said. "The amount of adrenalin and fitness his body is used to will decrease markedly. His body will go through chemical changes. He'll feel tired and lethargic and his body will go into shock, because it's suddenly been told to sit still."

As his body adjusts, grief will kick in, according to sports psychologist Sandy Gordon.

"Andrew Johns, I expect, would be in a bereaved state," Gordon said. "It's a huge loss. His whole identity has been taken away. He is grieving. Until he gets to the acceptance that's it's over stage, he will need a lot of support and good listeners. If this grieving process is prolonged, he'll be far better off with professional help.

"A lot of males in this situation don't seek out this kind of help because it's perceived to be soft, or un-Australian male behaviour. The reality is this is a huge transition for anyone to make."

Roosters coach Chris Anderson called on the NRL to supply Johns with a counsellor, but Johns's manager, John Fordham, said his client had enough people around him to support him.

"He has me and other people who he trusts and relies upon," Fordham said. "It was a nice, caring comment Chris Anderson made. What he says is true, but we haven't got the Yellow Pages out looking for a counsellor.

"Every individual is different. Less than 24 hours ago, Andrew retired from the game. We are just letting him handle that issue at the moment without pushing the button on too many things. He's in fine form."

Johns is certain to enjoy a sparkling post-football career. There's a television spot at Channel Nine and he may be commentating as soon as the Anzac Test. There's the possibility of a coaching job, a newspaper column to fill and an autobiography to polish off by the end of the year.

Even before he made it to the racecourse yesterday, Johns was interviewed for several radio stations and filmed a television commercial.

But he spoke of escaping overseas to take a break from the rugby league life.

"I'm lucky in some ways that I've got options when I finish," he said. "Whether or not I go down the same path as my brother at Channel Nine or I would like to do some sort of coaching, I don't really know yet. So I'm going to have some time away from the country, and then I'll reassess."

Jessica Halloran