Alex Johnston looks set to break Ken Irvine’s record as a Rabbitohs player after inking a year contract extension just a few seasons after he was nearly forced out of the club due to salary cap pressures.

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Johnston has scored 207 tries in 237 NRL games and needs just six to break Irvine’s record mark of 212.

It is a remarkable turnaround from 2020 when Johnston was on his way out of the club due to salary cap pressures before a stunning backflip from the Rabbitohs.

Johnston was offered to the Dragons and Tigers in 2020 after eight seasons at the Rabbitohs that included the 2014 title win in his first season in first grade.

The star winger was resigned to having to leave the club to continue his career at an NRL rival, before finally inking a contract extension at the 11th hour back in 2020.

Fast-forward five years and Johnston again found himself off-contract, but Wayne Bennett and the club were adamant they wanted him to stay and break the record as a one club player.

“The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the contract extension of the club’s greatest try scorer, Alex Johnston, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons today,” the club said in a statement.

Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, says the club is excited to see Johnston continue his tenure with the club.

“Alex is the greatest try scorer our club has seen and is on track to become the greatest try scorer in the sport’s history in this country,” Mr Ellison said.

“He is a smart footballer that knows how to finish off a try scoring movement and how to use his body to put himself in the best position to get over the line.

“He is a South Sydney junior from the La Perouse Panthers club, he is an inspiration to so many young footballers from our district, across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as well as the people of Papua New Guinea.

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“He is a doting dad to Sonny and Avery with the support of his partner Taryn, and we’re delighted that they will all be remaining as Rabbitohs for the next two seasons.”

Johnston was delighted to be remaining a Rabbitoh.

“I couldn’t be happier to be staying at the club for another two years,” Johnston said.

“Despite the recent results, I know we have a strong club here with quality players, coaches and staff, and I want to be part of returning us to the top of the ladder.

“I’ve enjoyed premiership success here before and I’m really focused on doing that again here for South Sydney.

“I also want to break the try scoring record at the Rabbitohs and achievements like that come from the efforts and performances of my teammates as much as me. We’re all in this together.

“I also would like to thank the Members for their support. There are no more loyal supporters in the game and I love representing them each week as well. I thank them for sticking by us and encouraging us throughout some difficult times on field.

“I’m looking forward to working hard to turn around the back end of our season this year and then having a crack at premierships over the next two years as well.”

Johnston, 30, has played 237 NRL games since making his debut for the Rabbitohs against the Broncos on ANZAC Day in round eight, 2014. Johnston has scored a record 207 tries for the Rabbitohs, has played ten Test matches for Papua New Guinea and one Test for Australia, as well as four games for the Indigenous All Stars.

Johnston, Rabbitohs first grade player number 1105 who is a proud Koedal Klan Saibai man, has been awarded the Ken Irvine Medal on three occasions as the game’s top try scorer of the season, was named the Dally M

Winger of the Year in 2022, and was crowned the Rabbitohs’ John Sattler Rookie of the Year in 2014.