Alex Johnston underwent Achilles tendon surgery on Thursday, with the long recovery – and uncertainty about his future at South Sydney – now leaving his hopes of overhauling Ken Irvine’s almost mythical try-scoring record hanging in the balance.
Johnston’s hopes of passing Irvine’s 212 career tries seemed a formality until he broke down against Canberra last weekend. The premiership winner is stranded on 195 tries, still 18 short of breaking the late North Sydney and Manly flyer’s record, which has stood since 1973.
Johnston averaged 26 tries a season during the previous four years, but only crossed the paint eight times in 13 games this year.
It remains to be seen if Souths offer Johnston a contract extension – his deal finishes at the end of the 2025 season – and will now wait to see if the 29-year-old makes a full recovery from what will be a long rehabilitation.
Johnston’s fate will ultimately be decided by incoming coach Wayne Bennett.
If Souths allow him to leave, Johnston will be hoping another NRL club is prepared to take a punt on a 30-something who is an excellent finisher but not renown for making big metres, which is a huge asset in the modern game.
Top 10 first-grade try-scorers
- 212 Ken Irvine (Bears, Sea Eagles, 1958-1973)
- 195 Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs, 2014-)
- 190 Billy Slater (Storm, 2003-2018)
- 180 Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles, Northern Eagles 1993-2008)
- 176 Brett Morris (Dragons, Bulldogs, Roosters 2006-2021)
- 166 Andrew Ettingshausen (Sharks 1983-2000)
- 164 Terry Lamb (Magpies, Bulldogs 1980-1996)
- 163 Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles 2003-2016)
- 159 Matt Sing (Panthers, Roosters, Cowboys 1993-2006)
- 159 Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs 1996-2009)
The last time Johnston risked being squeezed out of Souths – when Bennett was coach – fans started an online petition to keep him at Redfern.
As for Irvine’s record, it may never be broken if Johnston’s pursuit is cut short.
Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is the next active player on the list with 156 tries, but only has two more years beyond this season in the NRL, while North Queensland’s Kyle Feldt has 143 tries, but is 32. Gold Coast youngster Alofiana Khan-Pereira had 39 tries in 38 games prior to Saturday’s clash against Brisbane.
Caretaker Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby was backing Johnston to not only bounce back, but also haul in Irvine’s record.
Alex Johnston is helped off after injuring his Achilles in Canberra.Credit: Getty
“He’ll do it easily; he’ll only miss six games the rest of this year – he’s good for 20 tries a year,” Hornby said.
“I’ve come across some pretty good try-scorers. Brett Morris was good. I probably haven’t seen one as prolific as ‘AJ’. He’s got that great anticipation and ability to beat people one on one.
“Our GPS data is also telling us he hasn’t slowed down at all. He’ll come back and be fine. It’s a minimum six months out. Achilles used to be a bit of a death knell, but he’ll get over it.
“He’s only 29. If he doesn’t do it next year, he’ll get it the following.”
Young Rabbitohs flyer Tyrone Munro is due back from his latest shoulder surgery in the next fortnight, but like Latrell Mitchell (foot), Souths will need to decide if there is any merit playing the pair in the final rounds with no chance of reaching the finals.
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