Johnston’s four-try blitz narrows gap to record

Alex Johnston has edged closer to rugby league immortality, scoring four tries in a stunning display that almost inspired a South Sydney Rabbitohs comeback in their 25-24 golden point loss to the Melbourne Storm.

The veteran winger’s haul takes his career tally to 206 tries—just six shy of Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212. It marked the first time Johnston has scored four in a single NRL match, further cementing his legacy as one of the game’s great finishers.

“I said to him at half time, have you got another try in you and he said I have got another couple in me,” Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said of Johnston in post-match conference.

“And it’s the first time ever he scored four tries in a game, so that’s been a long and remarkable career, so he’s pretty pleased with himself and we are too.”

Johnston’s performance lit up Accor Stadium, with each try showcasing his trademark speed, positioning, and composure under pressure. His final four-pointer helped send the match into golden point, although the Rabbitohs ultimately fell short.

Despite the result, Johnston’s brilliance was the major talking point, as fans and pundits alike acknowledged his growing proximity to Irvine’s long-standing record set in 1973.

Off the field, Bennett confirmed that the club is keen to secure Johnston’s future beyond 2025.
“We’re negotiating with him and we believe that will happen, but it hasn’t happened yet, so there’s a bit more negotiations to be done,” Bennett said.

At 29, Johnston remains a vital part of the Rabbitohs’ backline and a symbol of loyalty, having played his entire NRL career with South Sydney.

With form like this, history may soon be rewritten — and Johnston's name etched atop the try-scoring summit.