Alex Johnston Overcomes ‘Dark Times,’ Achieves 200 NRL Tries Amidst Tears
South sydney Rabbitohs Winger Alex Johnston’s journey to scoring 200 NRL tries has been marked by triumph and tribulation. Johnston, 30, admitted to being overcome with emotion during Sunday’s game against the Warriors, as he became the first player in the NRL era to reach the double-century milestone.
The Achievement Places Him Just 13 Tries shy of Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212, a benchmark that has stood for 52 years and was long considered unbreakable. Despite an injury-riddled 2025 season, Johnston’s hat-trick in the 36-30 loss to the Warriors brought his season total to five tries in four games.
A Winger’s Emotional Milestone
In An Emotional Interview with Fox League post-match, Johnston spoke candidly about the challenges he has overcome. “The Crowd started Going Crazy, and I’m not going to lie, I was almost tearing up,” he confessed. “I Don’t Want To Get Too Deep Here But there Were Some Dark Times In The Past 10 Months So It Was good To Contribute.”
The Importance Of The Moment clearly resonated deeply. “In The Middle Of The Game I Was almost crying And Just Thinking About It Now It’s Getting Me. It’s Great Support, I Love This Club And Hopefully I Keep Scoring.”
The Chase For The Record: Johnston’s Viewpoint
Johnston Acknowledged the constant reminders of Irvine’s record. “Every Single Person I See In The Street Brings It Up So It’s Hard Not To (Think About),” he stated. However, His Focus Remains Grounded: “But My Goal For This Year Was To Get To 200 And I’ve Got There Now So Whatever I Get From Now Is A Cherry On Top, But Hopefully I Get There.”
Bennett And Crowe: Support From The Sidelines
South Sydney Rabbitohs Coach Wayne Bennett expressed immense pride in Johnston’s accomplishment. “He’s A Special Player, He’s So Good,” Bennett Saeid. He Highlighted Johnston’s intelligence and positioning.Adding Another Layer Of Support, Bennett Revealed Co-Owner Russell Crowe’s desire for Johnston to remain a Rabbitoh for the remainder of his career.
“I Know Russell Crowe Is Really Proud Of Him Too And It’s Really Crucial To Him That Alex Remains On The Wing Here For provided that He Gets The Job Done And I Feel The Same.”
The Physical Toll: Injuries And Resilience
Bennett Further Elucidated the physical demands on players like Johnston. “They Go through A Lot, These Guys, He Came Back And Hurt His back and Missed A Game Than Came Back And Hurt His Hamstring And Missed More Football, That’s all Just Happened this Year.”
“It’s A Pretty Emotional Business, You Just Don’t See All The emotion Because They Learn To Live With It And Handle It. Their Careers Depend On Their Bodies And His Was Not In A Good Place.”
Teammate’s Admiration
Souths Teammate Jai Arrow Acknowledged the magnitude of Johnston’s achievement.”Someone pointed it out when he scored the third try that it’s a pretty remarkable achievement to be the first one in the NRL era to score 200 tries. It’s hard scoring one let alone 200 so he should be massively proud of his achievement.”
Johnston’s Milestone: By The Numbers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total NRL tries | 200 |
| Distance From Irvine’s Record | 13 Tries |
| 2025 Season Tries | 5 |
| Games Played In 2025 | 4 |
The Evolution Of Try-Scoring Records
Try-Scoring Records In Rugby league have always been a measure of sustained excellence and adaptability. Alex Johnston’s achievement reflects not only his personal dedication but also the evolving strategies and physical demands of the modern game. As rule changes and training methodologies advance, players like Johnston continue to redefine what’s possible on the field.
The Pursuit Of Ken Irvine’s long-standing record adds an exciting narrative to the NRL season, drawing attention to the history and legacy of the sport while celebrating contemporary achievements. Johnston’s journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of resilience, skill, and unwavering commitment in the face of adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alex Johnston’s NRL Milestone
- How Many NRL Tries Has Alex Johnston Scored?
Alex Johnston has scored 200 tries in the NRL era, making him the first player to reach this milestone in the NRL.
- Is Alex Johnston Close To Breaking The All-Time Try-Scoring record?
Alex Johnston is now 13 tries away from breaking Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212 tries.
- What Did Wayne Bennett Say About Alex Johnston’s Achievement?
Wayne Bennett expressed that he was ‘really proud’ of Alex johnston, highlighting his intelligence and positioning on the field.
- What Was alex Johnston’s Emotional Reaction to Scoring 200 NRL Tries?
Alex Johnston admitted he was ‘almost crying’ during the game, reflecting on overcoming ‘dark times’ in the past 10 months.
- What Is Alex Johnston’s Goal For The Rest Of The Season After Reaching 200 Tries?
Alex Johnston stated that his goal for the year was to reach 200 tries,and anything he achieves from now on is a ‘cherry on top,’ while still hoping to break the all-time record.
- How Has Injury Impacted Alex Johnston’s Performance This Season?
Alex Johnston has endured an injury-plagued 2025, including back and hamstring issues, but has still managed to score five tries in four games.
what are your thoughts on Alex Johnston’s incredible achievement? Do you think he will break Ken Irvine’s record this season? Share your predictions and comments below!
