There were high fives all round when Alex Johnston equalled Nathan Merritt's record of five tries in a match during the 2017 season. This moment goes up against one of the Club's greatest signings, Sam Burgess, who created a legacy at South Sydney playing a pivotal role in the Club's 2014 Premiership win and going on to Captain the Club in later years. Which moment takes your pick?!
Alex Johnston 5 Tries in a Game (Round 17, 2017 vs Penrith)
In Round 17, 2017 Alex Johnston equaled a record that only seven Rabbitohs have achieved before. Johnston crossed for five tries in 80 minutes of Football.
The old saying, you can’t coach speed was definitely proven in the 42 points to 14 win over Penrith.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2014 as a teenager, Johnston went on to win the NRL Premiership - scoring the first try of the grand final.
He has always known his way to the tryline after finishing his debut season with 21 four-pointers in just 18 games, and was later rewarded with his first rep jumper for the Kangaroos.
An Indigenous All Stars representative, AJ also represented the Papua New Guinea Kumuls last year (where his heritage lies on his mother’s side), adding to his already impressive football resume.
Whether on the wing or at fullback, just give AJ some space to run and he’ll do the rest; as shown in this dazzling display against the Panthers!
Sam Burgess Signing (2009)
Sam Burgess. Can you think of a more influential international signing in the history of the game?
When Sam came to Souths on the 14th of December, 2009 - he celebrated his 21st birthday. A young lad from Yorkshire, we all knew he had potential after bursting onto the international scene as a teenager.
But who would have thought he would leave behind a legacy such as he did at Souths?
Sam, Rabbitohs first grade player number 1073, played 270 first grade games across the NRL with South Sydney and the Super League with the Bradford Bulls since 2006. Burgess made his first team debut for Bradford against Leeds in 2006, going on to play 88 games for the Bulls and 182 games for the red and green.
Burgess played a starring role in the 2014 NRL Premiershipand was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal, after playing the entire game with a broken cheekbone.
He was also awarded the RLIF International Player of the Year award in 2014, was the Dally M Lock of the Year in the same year, has won the George Piggins Medal as the Rabbitohs best and fairest player on three occasions and the Jack Rayner Players’ Player award five times.
Sam played 23 Test matches for England between 2008 and 2018, and played two Tests for Great Britain in 2007. Sam also represented England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, playing in five Tests for the home nation.
