Johnston edges closer to all-time try-scoring mark in South Sydney thrashing

Alex Johnston wants three tries in a single sport to interrupt the NRL’s try-scoring document earlier than the top of the season after edging nearer to re-writing historical past in South Sydney’s 40-0 thrashing of St George Illawarra.

The left winger had one strive in Souths’ penultimate sport of a forgettable yr, touching down from what appeared a ahead go from Tallis Duncan go at Stadium Australia on Thursday evening.

“I do not suppose the ref was sport to take it off him, to be trustworthy,” quipped Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.

Johnston’s 210th profession strive got here within the ultimate minutes earlier than halftime and leaves the veteran solely two four-pointers shy of equalling Ken Irvine’s mark that has stood since 1973.

With Souths on the bye subsequent week, the stage is about for Johnston to take a shot at historical past towards his facet’s most bitter rivals, the Sydney Roosters, within the final spherical of the common season.

Bennett downplayed the anticipation over a milestone that’s quick approaching.

“I do not know why you make such a fuss about it, to be trustworthy,” he stated.

“It is there, it is not damaged. The day it’s, it will be an awesome second. However nobody can predict when and the place. So what, are we going to reside the remainder of our lives till it occurs as, ‘What’s Alex going to do?’

“Let’s simply get on with our lives. That is what he is doing. It will come and we’ll all rejoice it.”

The win completed as South Sydney’s greatest of the yr, and in addition their greatest over the Dragons both as a three way partnership or as their predecessor membership St George.

“They (Souths) stored doing their jobs and turning up and competing very well. That is the perfect half,” Bennett stated.

Johnston may’ve come even nearer to rarefied air amid the carnage.

The winger tore previous Hayden Buchanan and Corey Allan down the left within the first half however handed inside to Jye Grey for the Rabbitohs’ second strive.

After the break, Duncan had Johnston unmarked on his left however didn’t want the veteran as he crashed previous Buchanan for a four-score lead.

From there, it was Johnston’s teammates inflicting the ache on a Dragons facet that, after an awesome month, instantly appears to be like very prepared for the low season.

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Proper winger Tyrone Munro put the icing on the cake by stepping round Clint Gutherson en path to an 85-metre strive within the ultimate minutes.

The victory ensures the Rabbitohs can’t end on the underside of the ladder, after final week’s win had all however confirmed Bennett would keep away from the primary wood spoon of his premiership profession.

The depleted Dragons had already been counting on a miracle to play finals however at the moment are mathematically out of rivalry, left to rue errors and defensive frailty towards the Bunnies.

“Souths had a shorter turnaround than us, they have accidents (as nicely) so we’re not tossing up any excuses,” stated coach Shane Flanagan.

“If I begin tossing up excuses, then I develop into one of many weak ones.

“The opposition did not give us an opportunity to breathe. They have been excellent with the soccer. We have been the alternative.”

AAP