3 months ago
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A secret clause in his new South Sydney deal that allows Alex Johnston to negotiate with PNG at any time could result in the fledgling franchise snaring the game’s greatest try-scorer as their No.1 signing.
Johnston signed a new two-year contract extension just a fortnight ago, which ensures he will break Ken Irvine’s tryscoring record at “The Pride of the League”. The winger is just five tries short of Irvine’s mark of 212, which is poised to fall late this year or early next season.
Under the NRL’s contracting rules, players aren’t allowed to negotiate with rival clubs until November 1 of the year before their deal expires. However, the Rabbitohs have inserted a clause that allows Johnston to negotiate with PNG at any time of his choosing, a move that gives the new franchise a potential huge headstart ahead of its 2028 inclusion into the competition.
“Alex has been a captain of [their] national team, has played 10 Tests and is revered in PNG,” said Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly.
“He will always have a home here at Souths, but if Alex and his family want to be part of the PNG team on its entry to the NRL competition, we understand, respect and support that.”
Given he is just 30 years old and has had few serious injuries during a 239-game NRL career spanning 11 seasons, there’s every chance Johnston will still be playing at the top level when PNG joins the competition. In a recent interview, Johnston revealed he was open to the prospect of signing with the new franchise.
“It would be pretty cool to be player No.1,” Johnston told PNG newspaper The National during a visit to the Pacific nation last month.
“With my connection to the country, if there is an offer on the table, of course, I would consider it.”
Johnston remains committed to Rabbitohs for now, although some of his teammates could be finishing up at the club. Off-contract forward Jacob Host is likely to join the Super League next year.
“England would be great, I’ve always wanted to go there,” Host said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, whether it be the start of my career or the end.”
South Sydney winger Alex Johnston said his team had to beat the Storm through the middle if they want to win on Friday night.Credit: Getty
And Jye Gray has been targeted by breakaway rugby competition Rugby360 for the 2027 season.
A day after this masthead revealed Gray was the subject of a $US600,000 (A$920,000) offer, the utility became the first target publicly quizzed about a cross-code switch. Not that he was giving much away.
“I haven’t had too much to think about it at all, to be honest,” Gray said. “I’m just focused on playing my best footy for Souths at the moment.”
Asked about the prospect of a huge pay rise should he switch to the 15-man code, Gray said: “I’m not too sure about figures, my manager handles all that.
“I just concentrate on footy and try to play my best week in and week out.”
The injury-hit Rabbitohs are hopeful that Latrell Mitchell will make a comeback from a quad injury in Sunday’s clash against the Titans. Mitchell trained with the team on Thursday, with his potential presence a huge boost in a clash that will likely decide the wooden spoon.
“He’s a big part of our team, he’s a big part of the culture at the club,” said South Sydney forward Sean Keppie.
“He always gives us that little bit of confidence going into games, just his presence is enough to change the game. I’m sure you’ve seen how many things he’s done in the game, he’s a special player.”
Host added: “He’s unbelievable. Whenever he plays, he’s going to be a bonus to us.
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“He’s a leader, he plays Origin, he plays for Australia, he’s a great presence around the club. He’s pretty hard to handle from my experience playing against him when I was younger.
“It would be great to have him back, but we just won’t know until Saturday.”
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