NRL season 2015: South Sydney winger Alex Johnston wants to remain at Rabbitohs despite offers elsewhere
“I’ve played fullback growing up in junior levels and I definitely think I am a fullback,” Johnston told Fox Sports.
“That’s my best position, I think so and I definitely want to be there some day.
“But at the moment my best position for this side is on the wing and wherever that leads, if I get a crack (at fullback) with a spot in first grade I’ll take it when it comes. But I’m only just 20 at the moment, there’s no rush and I’m more than happy here at the Rabbitohs.
“I’d like to get my contract done as soon as possible but things take time so I’m not too worried about it. I’ve got footy to worry about; the rest will sort itself out and I’ve left it with my manager.”
The Rabbitohs have a number of their gun youngsters coming off contract, with Tom Burgess, Chris Grevsmuhl, Cameron McInnes, injured backrower Kyle Turner and the suspended Kirisome Auva’a as well as Johnston all unsigned beyond the end of 2015.
As is the case for any champion side in the modern game, retaining the core of Souths premiership winning outfit looms as a significant battle, with Sam Burgess, Ben Te’o, Lote Tuqiri and Apisai Koroisau — all members of last year’s grand final team — no longer at the club.
But the recent signatures of star halves Adam Reynolds (tied up until the end of 2017) and Luke Keary (2016), as well as Dylan Walker (2016), who Johnston has played alongside in the Rabbitohs juniors since the age of 13, are all key ingredients in securing Johnston’s services.
“Definitely, that’s one of the big things for me, we call ourselves the next generation here and it’s great coming through with guys like Dylan I’ve played my whole career with in the juniors,” Johnston said.
“We have that sense of family here and we’re a tight bunch of kids. We’re definitely trying to keep this core of young blokes together and stay here at the club long term.
“Win a few more premierships; that’s the plan, but obviously we don’t go too far beyond the week-to-week stuff.”
As for the week-to-week NRL caper, it’s a case of steady as she goes for the 20-year-old La Perouse junior. Any notion of the dreaded second-year syndrome is even less of a concern than his current contract situation.
With recent Dally M Rookie of the Year winners Reynolds and George Burgess having backed up stellar debut years with even better second seasons, there’s plenty of advice on the subject around Redfern should Johnston wish to seek it out. For now though, having scored in each of the Bunnies’ two games this year, the kid’s confident he’s got it sorted.
“You just don’t worry about it, that’s the way to handle (second year syndrome),” Johnston said.
“We just focus on ourselves here, and if you’re training hard on the paddock that’s going to transfer over to the game and that’s what we’ve been doing, and that’s what I’ve been doing.
It’s not about stepping up just because it’s your second year or whatever, you just keep aiming to improve and maintain your high standards.”
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