When Alex Johnston Became the Rabbitohs’ Greatest Ever Tryscorer
In round 12, 2022, Alex Johnston etched his name into Club history when he became South Sydney’s greatest ever tryscorer, finishing a stunning hat-trick performance in a 44–18 win over the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium.
Fittingly, the milestone came during Indigenous Round, a stage where Johnston has shone throughout his career. With the Rabbitohs needing a spark after three losses in their previous five games, it was Johnston and fellow Indigenous star Cody Walker who took control, guiding South Sydney to a dominant second-half surge.
After trailing 18–12 at the break, the Rabbitohs worked their way back into the contest before Johnston crossed early in the second half to equal Nathan Merritt’s Club record of 146 tries. Minutes later, Campbell Graham’s offload put Johnston into space once again, this time for try number 147, the one that moved him above Merritt and into outright first place of the Rabbitohs’ All-Time Try Scoring list. He also claimed the record for most tries scored at Accor Stadium, with 72 in 76 appearances.
Already a modern great, Johnston’s achievement placed him firmly among Rabbitohs royalty — and with the all-time Premiership record now just three tries away, history is within reach once again.
Moments like these are reminders of why, since 1908, South Sydney is still here, built on legacy, lifted by its people, and always pushing towards the next chapter of greatness.
