NRL's greatest ever try-scorer hints at imminent PNG switch
Record-setting South Sydney try-scoring winger Alex Johnston looks set to become the first player to sign for the PNG Chiefs ahead of their 2028 NRL entry.
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Thu, 23 Apr3314→Fri, 24 Apr4634→Fri, 24 Apr3212→Sat, 25 Apr1662→Sat, 25 Apr2018→Sat, 25 Apr648→Sun, 26 Apr1244→Sun, 26 Apr3318→Fri, 1 May18:00--→Fri, 1 May20:00--→Sat, 2 May15:00--→Sat, 2 May17:30--→Sat, 2 May19:35--→Sun, 3 May14:00--→Sun, 3 May16:05--→Sun, 3 May18:15--→ NRL Score Centre Alex Johnston, NRL's greatest ever try-scorer, hints at imminent PNG switch from South SydneyTopic:NRL3h ago3 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 5:17amAlex Johnston looks set to become PNG's first signing ahead of its NRL introduction. (AAP Image: Mark Evans)abc.net.au/news/alex-johnston-hints-at-imminent-png-switch/106617140Link copiedShareShare articleSouth Sydney try-scoring freak Alex Johnston is set to become the first player to sign for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.Johnston can make history for the second time this year after becoming the first player to commit to the NRL's 19th club ahead of the Chiefs' entry in 2028.The 31-year-old seemingly confirmed the move in an Instagram story post with the words "Yessssss sirrrrrrr".An Instagram post from Alex Johnston seemingly confirming his move to PNG. (Instagram: @alexjohnston95)But the expansion franchise's main target to be their inaugural marquee signing is still Jarome Luai.The Wests Tigers superstar spent last weekend in PNG and met with Prime Minister James Marape and senior club officials."To be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we deeply appreciate," Marape told local media."It sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright."Johnston will join the new club on a one-year deal understood to be worth a tax-free $325,000.Alex Johnston celebrates becoming the highest try scorer in NRL history. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)He passed Ken Irvine's long-standing try-scoring record earlier this season with his 212th and 213th four-pointers for the Rabbitohs.The 250-game veteran has since moved to a career tally of 219 tries.Johnston, who will be 33 in 2028, received the blessing of Souths coach Wayne Bennett earlier this year to join the PNG franchise given his strong ties with the country.The winger made his Test debut for the Kumuls in 2019, scoring four tries in 12 internationals for the league-obsessed nation.In a measure of his standing and popularity at the Rabbitohs, Johnston also has the support of teammates."Yeah, he told us this morning. Look, you've got to be happy for the bloke," prop Sean Keppie told media."He's given so much to the game and to see him get that first position over there is pretty cool to see."I'm pretty sure they're going to do some pretty good things over there, so he'll grab it with both hands and he's already scored so many tries, hopefully he can score some more, but not against us."The ABC of SPORTSports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.Email addressSubscribeYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.ABC/AAPPosted 3h ago3 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 5:17am, updated 2h ago2 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 6:46amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionSportWhy NSW hasn’t met a problem Tiana Penitani Gray couldn’t solve Topic:NRL Women’s Premiership'How the hell?' How Millie Elliott bounced straight back into Origin post-babyTopic:Rugby LeagueAussie rugby may benefit from copying NZ's lateral thinking approachAnalysis by Luke PentonyIndigenous players…
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