Alex Johnston open to fans storming the field when he breaks NRL try-scoring record
Alex Johnston has confirmed he’s close to re-signing with the Rabbitohs while welcoming the prospect of a crazy on-field party to celebrate his looming record try haul.
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Alex Johnston is a people person.
It’s why on his day off from Rabbitohs training last Friday, the try machine is walking the grounds where in 2012 he was Dux of his school, Endeavour Sports High, shaking hands with students, smiling for selfies and flicking the footy with talented kids that are obsessed by wanting to be him.
“I didn’t know how much of an impact I was having (in the NRL) until I walked through school and everyone was looking at me and staring at me with big smiles,” Johnston said.
“It was at this school where I decided to give footy a crack. I was playing a bunch of sports including athletics and cricket up until Year-11.
“I decided around 16, it’s time to focus on footy and that’s when I came to the footy program at Endeavour and it’s the best decision I made.
“It had a lot to do with the success I’ve had.”
One of the true gentlemen of the game, it’s why too, Johnston smiles when the obvious question arrives.
FIELD DAY
Ahead of a crucial clash with the Sea Eagles at 4Pines Park on Sunday, Johnston (206) is seven tries away from breaking Ken Irvine’s (212) try-scoring record for the most tries scored in rugby league’s 117-year history.
It’s an extraordinary feat that you need to read twice to truly comprehend.
Such is the bubbling anticipation for the moment, there is groundswell building for fans to do what they did when Swans legend Buddy Franklin kicked his stunning 1000th goal in 2022, by storming onto the field when Johnston finally crosses for try 213.
So AJ, would you like that to happen?
“For me, it would be pretty awesome. Imagine people running on and people lifting me up,” Johnston said.
“I’ve seen the Buddy Franklin celebrations and apparently it took ages to get the game back on. I know it would be a crazy one for the NRL, but it would be pretty cool for me.”
Pushed for his final endorsement, Johnston just smiled again: “I’m not saying yes or no, just whatever happens, happens.”
Johnston added that he wasn’t feeling burdened by the record chase.
“I wasn’t handling it too well when I was injured. But being back now and hopefully my body keeps holding up, with seven tries to go, I’m having fun with it now,” Johnston said.
“It’s not about focusing on going out there to score tries, it’s going out there and having fun and when I do score a try, it’s pretty cool to know that you’re a step closer.”
THE INSTA MESSAGES THAT GAVE AJ HOPE
What can’t be understated is that at one stage, Johnston was certain he’d never be back within touching distance of Irvine’s 52-year record.
Playing against the Raiders, Johnston ruptured his Achilles on the final weekend in July last year. With an eight-month recovery, for a brilliant winger, who relies on his power and speed, Johnston was shattered by the thought that his 12-year NRL career was over.
That was - until support emerged from both the Rabbitohs medical staff, and in his DMs.
“When it first happened I thought I was done. This is it,” Johnston said.
“There was a good seven months where I was just getting through the rehab and things weren’t feeling the best and I was wondering, ‘How am I going to get back to running, to playing footy?’
Alex Johnston won’t return tonight, or in 2024, after suffering an Achilles injury.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 28, 2024
Video about as textbook an Achilles rupture as you will see - non-contact pushing off + looked behind to see who kicked him. Likely surgery & 5-8 months recovery ahead, feel for him! pic.twitter.com/jA6kP9bizx
“I was off-contract too with this being my last year, so I was thinking there’s a good chance I might not get another contract after this one.
“It wasn’t until the rehab team got amongst me and said, ‘You can get back if you attack it’.
“Obviously others have had the injury before and that was something for me to aim for.
“There were a couple of guys from the rugby league world that reached out and that was Christian Welch and Connor Watson.
“They both messaged me on Instagram.
“They were massive for me. They gave me advice and told me how good they felt.
“To receive those messages and to see Connor go on and play Origin with the explosive style he plays with, was huge.
“I did everything I could to get back and I’m in a good place right now.”
CONTRACT
With 11 tries in his eight games this season, Johnston has shown enough to secure a new deal at the Rabbitohs.
The 30-year-old has confirmed he’s edging closer towards re-signing with Souths.
“It’s underway. We’re chatting to Souths and we’re getting very close,” Johnston said.
“I’m pretty confident it will happen.
“That was another aspect to the last 12 months was that I have a young family and not knowing what was going to happen (with my NRL career), so it’s good that Souths have indicated they want to keep me.
“I’m trying to be around for a couple of years longer, so hopefully we can sort that out soon.”
BUNNIES SLUMP
The Rabbitohs are currently 16th and just one win ahead of the last-placed Titans.
A top eight contender in the eyes of many prior to the season launch, the Bunnies are falling horribly short of their potential.
Johnston, who will play fullback in first grade for the first time since round one, 2022 on Sunday in the absence of NSW Origin star Latrell Mitchell, conceded he too was frustrated by the club’s season and that their clash with Manly was crucial.
“It’s been a weird season because we know the footy that we can play,” Johnston said.
“We had a stretch in the draw against the top four teams and a lot of those games we felt like we should’ve won.
“We’re very close to being the footy team that we want to be, but injuries don’t help and while we’re not making excuses, things haven’t gone right for us this year in a lot of ways.
“There’s a bit of footy to be played and it is a close competition so we know we can come back. I’m going to fullback and I’m ready to rip in.”
NEW GUINEA FRANCHISE
With a proud Papua New Guinean heritage, it was with the Kumuls in 2023 that Johnston last played fullback, against Fiji.
As the NRL edge towards naming a coach for the 19th team in PNG, Johnston would be a primary target with his family history, outstanding character, ability, and on and off field achievements.
“I’d be silly to say, ‘No I wouldn’t look at it’,” Johnston said.
“It would be pretty cool, knowing the connection I have with PNG, but it would also be a focus of mine to be a one-club player as well at Souths.
“A new deal at Souths would take me to 32 and we’ll see whatever happens after that.
“If it is based over there, the set-up would be awesome.
“For me personally, it’s a good thing for the NRL and a good opportunity for players.”
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