‘Seriously incredible’: Alex Johnston makes South Sydney history

Alex Johnston has secured an amazing slice of NRL history but the 27-year-old has his sights on much bigger record.

Alex Johnston is something special. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Alex Johnston has made history for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, scoring a hat-trick to become the famous club’s greatest ever tryscorer.

Coming into the game, Johnston was sitting on 144 tries, two behind Nathan Merritt on 146 as the greatest tryscorer in the club’s history.

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And the Rabbitohs came up against a willing Wests Tigers but blew them away late to claim a 44-18 victory to snap their shaky run of form.

The loss will heap pressure on Tigers coach Michael Maguire once again. While the joint venture has been competitive in patches this season, there’s no getting around the fact that they’ve produced only three wins from 12 starts and sit in 15th place.

But the night was Johnston’s as he ran in three scores to move to 147 tries in his career and equal Manly legend Bob Fulton in equal 16th of all-time.

He will have to pass Merritt once again as he scored eight tries for the Cronulla Sharks to finish his career on 154 tries.

Incredibly, Johnston could be on track to eclipse the NRL’s most unbreakable record.

North Sydney and Manly legend Ken Irvine is the current all-time tryscoring leader with 212 tries, while Melbourne superstar Billy Slater finished in second on 190 tries.

It’s now not so crazy to think the 27-year-old will break Irvine’s record, once considered unbreakable as all he’ll need to do is average 14 per season for the next five years.

Alex Johnston cannot be stopped. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

However, Johnston admitted he wasn’t chasing the record and that “whatever happens happens”.

Johnston’s triple treat sealed the result for the Bunnies and proved a fitting way for the proud Saibai Island man to celebrate Indigenous Round.

“I’m still pinching myself,” an emotional Johnston said at full-time.

“I don’t want to play in any other colours. To score 147 in the red and green, it means a lot to me and my family. I’m just speechless at the moment.

“I love this club and to break this record is something I could never have dreamt of.”

Seriously incredible achievement @SSFCRABBITOHS Alex Johnston. And he’s not finished yet. 147 tries and counting…

— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) May 28, 2022

Johnston was also in good form in the press conference as he squeezed in next to Demitriou and captain Cameron Murray.

“I just think it is special to be part of the press conference mate after the game,” Johnston said.

“I mean this is unbelievable. This is so cool.

“No, I said it earlier to the fans I’m still pinching myself. I don’t want to play in any other colours and to score 147 in the red and green it means a lot to me and my family.

“I’m just speechless at the moment.”

Johnston also thanked fans who petitioned for him to stay at the club as he was almost forced out under Wayne Bennett’s tenure.

“Obviously we all know what happened a few years ago, I was almost not here,” Johnston said.

“There was a petition going around and a lot of fans signed and I like to think the top dogs had a look at that and saw we might need to keep this bloke.

“I’m very thankful for the fans for doing that and it all worked out as you can see. I’m just so happy.

“I think I’ve got plenty more tries to go hopefully touch wood to pay them back.”

147 down, 66 to go. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Coming into Saturday’s clash, the Rabbitohs had already lost as many games this year as they did last season. They desperately needed a win before Murray, Damien Cook and potentially others were called away for Origin duty.

Another loss would’ve thrown the Rabbitohs’ finals hopes into serious doubt, given there are clashes with the Eels (twice), Panthers, Cowboys, Storm, Sharks and Roosters awaiting them.

When the Wests Tigers opened up an early 10-0 lead against the run of play, Souths coach Jason Demetriou would’ve been watching through his fingers – he’d warned his troops this week that they couldn’t afford the slow start that ruined their chances against Canberra in round 11.

But despite trailing early, Souths composed themselves and reaped the rewards, running in six second-half tries to ensure they wouldn’t be slipping out of finals contention quite yet.

“It was pretty special from the boys to be down 12-0 (and come back),” Demetriou said.

“Although at halftime we were behind, I didn’t think we were doing much wrong. We just tightened up in good ball. I thought we did that really well.”

Originally published as ‘Seriously incredible’: Alex Johnston makes South Sydney history