South Sydney winger Alex Johnston has made a strong case to be re-signed after scoring a hat trick in Thursday’s NRL win over St George Illawarra.
Coach Wayne Bennett insists the NRL club are working towards re-signing the veteran winger to a new deal.
The off-contract Johnston made a strong case to be re-signed after bagging a hat trick in the Rabbitohs’ 32-24 comeback win over St George Illawarra on Thursday.
Johnston’s big night comes just weeks after expressing his dismay at being forced to consider leaving his junior to club to continue his career.
It also comes in the same week the club has been dragged into a public tug-of-war over the future of teenage prodigy Joseph Suaalii.
“He put himself in a position to get those tries with the intercepts so that was really good,” Bennett said of Johnston’s heroics against the Dragons.
“It’s a work in progress regarding his contract, I don’t think any of us want him to leave the club but we have a salary cap. We’re trying to fit him in.”
The Rabbitohs will also be sweating on the health of star halfback Adam Reynolds, who picked up a shoulder issue after a strong hit by Tariq Sims.
Reynolds tried to warm up in the second half but failed to return.
“He’s pretty sore and tender at the moment,” Bennett said.
“No one’s quite sure where that’s going to go or how long it will take. Nerves create that type of situation. There was never a point he was coming back.”
The victory lifts South Sydney back into the top eight ahead of a clash with Bennett’s former club Brisbane next week.
“It’s vital (to keep winning),” Bennett said.
“We’ve been patchy, we’ve been beating ourselves a lot. The first 16 points they got, there was a bit of bad luck on one of them, some poor play from us.
“Then we settled down. If we can play most weeks like we did the last 60 tonight, we won’t have any problem staying in the eight.”
Peter Quinn
I'll do everything in my power to get Alex to stay a Rabbitoh. We just can't afford to lose this guy. You take him out of that game against St. George, we get beat again.
Tony
Roar Guru
Johnson should move to another club that will appreciate his talents. He's getting no respect at Souths.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think he is an very good winger, but a very average fullback. If he is content being a winger, Souths should sign him.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I can’t believe that he is only 25. A very experienced player who can handle a number of backline spots. He rarely if ever has a bad game. He’s one of those guys who would add value in any team. He reminds me of the very underrated Michael Robertson at Manly a few years back .. rarely the star but always reliable and valuable
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Stevie the problem with Benny is he likes to tell Porky Pies to suit his agenda.My guess he’s stringing AJ along while he goes after the Kid..You can’t have your cake and eat it....unless of course your the Roosters
jamesb
Roar Guru
There would be plenty of clubs that should sign Johnston. JAC is leaving Melbourne. Cotric is leaving Canberra. Wests Tigers could use him. Newcastle perhaps.
TJ
Guest
If South's don't re-sign him there will be plenty of clubs going after him. High class winger with a great attitude and plenty of footy ahead of him. Seems like he's been around for ages now but he's only 25!
steveng
Roar Rookie
For me as I’m sure for all Bunnies fans “WE WANT AJ TO STAY” full stop! What AJ did last night is his trait(s) and pretty normal, we’ve seen that before from AJ as he’s been a talent for many years and he’s been scoring and has been the top try scorer in the NRL for donks! The Bunnies should have made certain that their salary cap accommodated a great player and junior and loyal player like AJ, I’m flabbergasted that the Souths management has been so slack for such a loysl talent and local boy like AJ! AJ’s continual talent on the wing is apparent week in and week out, as Graham is not much chop in the centres and that is where we were/are vulnerable, Graham has to be put on the other wing, as the first 20 was/is typical where the Bunnies are vulnerable and their stats in 1st half’s has let them down to eventually lose games. This is a very worrying and luckily R12 - Dragons 16-0 in the first minute didn’t pan out as another shocker for us as Graham’s middle defence made the Dragon’s run amuck out wide in the first 20min. All in all it was an entertaining game to watch (well for us Bunnies fans anyway after the 20min mark lol) but by gee it was getting very worrying at the 17 min mark when we were 16-0 down, as I felt like a Broncs fan lol Go You Bunnies! Btw, these are the first half score and final sores for the Bunnies so far for all 12 rounds: R1- Sharks 16-2 (Won-Bunnies 22 – Sharks 18) R2 – Broncs – 14-6 (Lost-Bunnies 18 – Broncs 22, gee that hurt) R3 – Chooks – 12-6 (Lost-Bunnies 12 – Chooks 28, this hurt even more) R4 – Storm - 8-6 (Lost-Bunnies 8 – Storm 22) R5 –- Bunnies 24-6 (Won-Bunnies 32 – Titans 12) R6 –- Bunnies 22-4 (Won-Bunnies 40 – Warriors 12) R7 – Panthers 8-0 (Lost-Bunnies 12 – Panthers 20) R8 – Dogs 6-6 (Won-Bunnies 26 – Dogs 10) R9 – Bunnies 8-0 (Won-Bunnies 18 – Tigers 10) R10 – Knights 10-0 (Lost-Bunnies 18 – Knights 20) R11 – Bunnies 12-10 (Lost-Bunnies 12 – Raiders 18) R12 – Bunnies 16-16 (Won–Bunnies 32 – Dragons 24
noosaduck
Roar Rookie
Andrew totally agree about this Sualli situation. I know that blokes like Ettinghausen played fist grade before they were 17 but he had come through the grades back then and had show that he was able to mix it with older & bigger men. Johnson showed what he can do in last nights game and St George were pretty solid most of the night & he just carved them up on a couple of occasions.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I would say Souths should make the same pitch to Johnston that the Roosters made to Keary in order to get him to stay for less than what he (Johnston) perceives his value is. But given Souths have just offered a small fortune to a kid that hasn't played before, it makes it hard to ask a guy who is a local junior and played 7 years for the club to under cut himself..