The South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced the re-signing of local junior Alex Johnston on a three-year deal.
Johnston, 22, made his first-grade debut against the Broncos in round eight of the 2014 season, going on to be part of the premiership-winning team later that year. Johnston represented Australia, the Prime Minister’s XIII and the Indigenous All Stars in 2015, and was an Australian Schoolboys representative in 2012.
Johnston is a prodigious try scorer, touching down for 57 tries in the first 74 NRL games of his career. He has been the Rabbitohs’ leading try scorer every season since making his first-grade debut, including 2014 where he scored 21 tries in 18 matches, earning himself the Rabbitohs’ John Sattler Rookie of the Year award.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire is very happy to see the La Perouse junior remain with the Club long term.
“Alex is establishing himself as one of the leading outside backs in the competition and one of his greatest attributes is his willingness to learn,” Coach Maguire said.
“His work on the wing is right up there with some of the best wingers in the game, and he continues to work closely with senior players such Greg (Inglis) and John (Sutton) on how he can improve his game and his versatility between positions.
“He’s a South Sydney junior who has proven himself to be a potent try scorer and we’re happy to be able to continue to work with Alex to enable us to reach the team’s goals and his personal goals with regards to his football.”
Johnston is happy to have his future sorted here at South Sydney.
“I’m really happy to have the contract sorted out, and to know I will be a Rabbitoh for at least the next three years is a great thing,” Johnston said.
“I love playing alongside my teammates and working with the coaching and support staff here at Souths so in the end, it was the best decision for me to stay and to build on what we’ve established since 2014 when I made my debut.
“It’s always a privilege to pull on that South Sydney jersey and I’m glad that I know I will be doing that for at least the next three years.”