Alex Johnston became rugby league's greatest try-scorer when he crossed for his 213th career try in the 41st minute of South Sydney's clash with the Sydney Roosters at a sold-out Allianz Stadium. The moment, watched by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a packed stadium, brought unprecedented scenes. Fans hopped the fence and mobbed Johnston, who was protected by security guards and teammates and was hoisted onto the shoulders of Cameron Murray and Campbell Graham.
Yet within hours of making history, Johnston's focus had shifted. Johnston has already expressed his desire to play for the PNG Chiefs during their inaugural season in the NRL in 2028. When asked about the possibility, he acknowledged the conversation was not yet settled. "These are conversations that I need to have with Souths and with PNG, and that's probably something that's going to happen in the future," Johnston said.
The 31-year-old winger carries deep roots to Papua New Guinea. He has strong ties to Papua New Guinea through his grandmother, and is a huge star in the league-mad country, who will have their own NRL team from 2028. A descendant of Saibai Island in the Torres Strait, Johnston proudly represents his Indigenous and Papua New Guinean heritage and has made it known he would like to be player No.1 for the new PNG Chiefs team entering the NRL in 2028.
What Australian observers often miss about Johnston's connection to PNG is that this isn't some abstract career ambition. The Prime Minister has written a letter congratulating him and seen footage of everyone going mad on the streets. "They love rugby league so much over there and the Chiefs will get massive support every week," Johnston said. The passion is mutual. Marcus Bai, widely considered PNG's greatest player and a member of the PNG Chiefs' board, said having a Kumul as the greatest tryscorer in premiership history would inspire Papua New Guineans for decades. "The big thing with our boys is that they see him, and they think, 'what he can do, I can do', so he motivates them and that becomes the conversation in the village".
Importantly, the Rabbitohs have long been aware of Johnston's interest in joining the Chiefs and have given him permission to converse with the expansion club despite being under contract until the end of 2027. South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett described Alex Johnston as a "10 out of 10" and told the greatest tryscorer in premiership history he would always be welcome back at South Sydney if he leaves to become a foundation player for the PNG Chiefs.
Johnston remains cautious about jumping ahead, emphasising his loyalty to the club he has represented since 2014. "It'd be cool to be the first signature over there, but I bleed red and green," Johnston said. "I love this club. I've always wanted to be a one club player, and we're in this position now where things can go either way, but I've got this year and next year to win some premierships".
After suffering an Achilles injury in 2024, Johnston feared the record would remain out of reach. "I thought I was done, to be honest," Johnston said. His recovery and achievement at age 31 adds weight to questions about how long he might continue. Johnston's record may never be broken as the closest players are older than him, suggesting that what he decides next will shape rugby league's landscape for years to come.
For the PNG Chiefs, securing Johnston as a foundation player would be transformative. The expansion franchise aims to compete from 2028 onwards, and having the game's greatest try-scorer wearing their colours would signal genuine ambition. For Johnston, it represents a chance to cement his legacy not just as a winger who broke an untouchable record, but as a figure who helped build something historic in the Pacific region.
The conversations will come in time. For now, Johnston is focussed on the immediate season ahead, and the possibility of delivering South Sydney premierships during his final years at Allianz Stadium.