If Latrell Mitchell fails to fire at fullback for Souths in the first half of the season, it’s not the end of Souths’ chances.
Alex Johnston can play fullback and Latrell could move to the centres – but who would you drop?
Braidon Burns? James Roberts? Campbell Graham and put Burns in the wing or keep Latrell at fullback and put Johnston on the wing? What could you do?
With the news that Josh Morris wants out of Cronulla to play with his brother Brett at the reigning premiers Sydney Roosters, the Sharks backline at the moment is in shambles.
Alex Johnston could be the player to make their backline look a lot better with Matt Moylan being injured for the first month and Dugan’s future slightly uncertain AJ could be a big difference along with speedster Bronson Xerri and new recruit Jesse Ramien.
The backline for the Sharks could look like this:
1. Josh Morris 2. Sione Katoa 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jesse Ramien 5. William Kennedy for the first month and when Moylan comes back and Morris goes to the Roosters then their backline could look like this if Johnston signs:
1. Matt Moylan 2. Sione Katoa 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Alex Johnston.
Johnston can play anywhere in the backline which makes him so good and with the loss of Latrell in the centres, the Roosters could also sign Alex Johnston to play centre if they’re unable to get Josh Morris.
Imagine a backline containing Joey Manu, James Tedesco and Alex Johnston which could make the Roosters chance of a three-peat more likely. Brett Morris’ career is coming to an end and Johnston could replace Morris on the wing.
If the trade is unsuccessful between Paul Momirovski (Tigers to Storm) and Harry Grant (Storm to Tigers) then the Storm could be looking for another player like Alex Johnston who can play centre which will improve their backline which contains Ryan Papenhuyzen, Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr.
The Storm need a replacement for Vunivalu and could lose Addo-Carr who wants to move back to Sydney. Alex Johnston can be the man to replace Vunivalu and could be signed in 2020.
Papenhuyzen will play fullback, Vunivalu and Addo-Carr on the wing and Johnston can play in the centres until 2021 when Vunivalu moves to Union then Johnston can play on the wing.
The Sharks need a winger like Johnston to play full time who can also play fullback if Moylan gets injured. If Johnston does play fullback then Moylan can play on the wing or come off the bench and someone like a Sione Katoa or Ronaldo Mulitalo can play on the wing.
Alex Johnston can stay at Souths and he will have to pray that Latrell doesn’t play well at fullback so Latrell will move to centre and Johnston can play fullback or an injury to Campbell Graham or Dane Gagai can be an opening for Johnston.
If his prayers don’t work then Johnston will be sitting on the side lines for most of the 2020 season.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Being a Rabbitohs fan I’m always a bit saddened by hearing the names of players moving on, but with the ever growing supply of talented players coming into the mix we need to start accepting that players need to move on to gain opportunities at the top level. Alex Johnston and Adam Doueihi are prime examples of this. If Adam Doueihi was to remain at the Rabbitohs this year it would have been detrimental to his development as he would not be getting the game time he deserves as a player of his caliber and potential. Unfortunately AJ is in the same position and it is his time to move to a different team to get the game time he deserves.
Peter Quinn
I think there’s a lot more to write about than coming up with stories like this too frequently. Alex Johnston is not going anywhere and is an important cog in the South Sydney wheel.
Watda
Guest
Now...would the Roosters let Latrell go in exchange for Alex...nup...Lucky souths don’t have to worry about a cap cause this could become Tricky..
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Some excellent points Anton. It's surprising to me that AJ isn't able to get a first grade spot, he's one of the fastest players in the league (i'd say top 5-10 easy), he's got a good pair of hands (rarely makes mistakes) and his a smart (got dux in his school) and and a likeable chap. Further he has a premiership title, season's highest try scorer (and scoring 5 tries in one game) and international experience all before the age of 25. His only "mistake" was to put his hand up for FB position when GI was injured, that's no crime, in fact he did quite well but obviously not of the standard of a GI, or the some of the other top teams who boast the likes of Tedesco, Slater, Holmes (Cronulla). If AJ stayed on the wing for Souths he'd be a 20+++ try a season player. Personally I would play Latrell FB, Jimmy the Jet and Campbell Graham in the centres, Gagai and AJ on the wing. I think Graham would be a good centre and had played there for some matches last year and did very well. Burns is a good player but still relatively untested and has been prone to injuries so I'd start him on the bench. If I were to pick Burns or AJ, I'd go AJ. Latrell will do well as FB, better that what the Bunnies had last year with stints at FB from Aj, Duoehi, and Gagai. Either way they are in a much stronger position with LM.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Agree with Andrew. He’s a Pollyfilla player. Good to fill in gaps as they happen, but not quite as good as the original. At best, he’s an average winger. At fullback, he looks like one of the Burgess trying to catch a ball.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
We shall see. I'm thinking closer to the 14th April.
Paul
Roar Guru
probably about the 14th of October I'd suggest.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Johnston is a very good winger but a so so fullback. Handy to have in your squad for the odd appearance at 1 if needed but not a regular starter
AnonLurker
Roar Rookie
The sharks don’t have the cap space and you would find Johnson’s salary is greater than Morris so does not make sense
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Whole hearted type of player who gives his all and we would all like to see be successful. However he is a fill in at best in any team that has pretensions on winning a premiership. I would suggest his agent look to England. He would be a smash hit over there in that competition.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Josh Morris will be at the Roosters this season. It's just a matter of when.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Wayno could play him in the front row
steveng
Roar Rookie
Fully agree, Johnson is no FB, he's very sus under the high ball and has no impact running the ball back, he's had plenty of chances since GI left and he hasn't made much of an impact. To me, LM is the man, he's a bit sus under the high ball but, so are allot of FB's, he will get over that, don't forget that if Goodwin is anywhere in the side, he will cover for LM as Goodwin is terrific under the high ball and is a very experienced player. From what I've seen of LM at FB, he's gong to be a formidable force for us! IMO Johnson should be on the wing, that's his best position, as he's a try scoring machine, he will never be a FB or a centre.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thanks Anton but have to disagree with you regarding AJ ability to play anywhere in the backline. He is a winger that can also play fullback. He has never played Centre at NRL level and fairly certain he couldn’t handle the halves either. I’m a Souths fan and keen for him to stay. I have a feeling he will be on the bench in the first few weeks of the season. Latrell is not fit enough to play 80 at the moment. I think Gagai will be on the move next season of this is his last year on current mega deal. He just hasn’t performed for the money he is on. Burns is talented yet injury prone. AJ just needs to hang in there and he will get his opportunities.
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
Johnson would be ideal for Manly - on the left wing - where he would replace the error prone and slow Jorgea Tuafua. Also understand he is already a mate of Dylan Walker. However, Manly's salary cap situation may not allow such a movement to happen.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yep. Ol' coach has a penchant for keeping solid, experienced players around the team. He woildn't be taking up too much cap to warrant moving him on and losing that depth.
Rube
Guest
Wutan
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
If Johnston has his sights on playing fullback he needs to follow Tedesco's lead and develop his ability to set up his supports. From what I can see the Chickens are one of the few if not only clubs who understand fully that all players need to be able to recognise when to pass to a support when a try is on. A couple of the last few GF's were possibly decided by backs who didn't make a simple pass when a try was on. My club Manly needs to do some work as well as last season we saw Brendon Elliot hold the ball a couple of times instead of making a simple pass for a try. Completely unacceptable.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think Johnson wants to play fullback and from what I’ve seen of him he can make a decent enough fullback which maybe some other team in the NRL need next year. One thing that he has that is very underrated is his speed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was top 5 in terms of speed but somehow the way he plays it gets overlooked. Would love to have him playing wing at the Storm next year when Vunivalu and JAC leave. I think the Storm will have salary space then but the question is whether he wants to come on fullback money or wing money as the Storm will only pay wing money…decent wing money like they spent on JAC but wing money all the same.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Sharks back line in shambles ? The wingers are pretty much set in stone, Rolando the first one picked and Sione, trialled terrifically, on the other, centers locked in . Kennedy or Ferris could fill in in a pinch. Don’t need AJ..very grateful to Souths for Connor Tracey, looked exceptional last week. Next year is a long time away in the league market and Cronulla needs cap space right now.