27-03-2025
Fans fume over NRL bunker drama as Souths hero rocked in 'shattering' scenes
Souths have provided fresh details on Alex Johnston's injury after the club hero went off injured after scoring a try in his side's 28-18 win over Penrith. The Panthers were 28-0 down at halftime and despite keeping the Rabbitohs scoreless in the second half, they were powerless to prevent a third-straight defeat, with a disallowed try for Moses Leota proving costly as fans lashed out at the bunker over the questionable call.
Johnston made his long-awaited return for Souths since rupturing his Achilles tendon last August and the club's record try-scorer took less than 10 minutes to dive over and score. However, the veteran winger came down awkwardly on his elbow and got up in some discomfort. He managed to get through the first half but did not return for the second forty, amid reports Johnston had suffered a shoulder injury.
Souths officials have since confirmed that Johnston has dome some damage to his left scapula, but are hopeful it is not serious ahead of next Friday's Sydney Roosters blockbuster. "He's pretty good," Souths coach Wayne Bennett said. "We're not sure whether he'll miss a game or a couple of games, but it's not on the too-serious list."
Johnston is also off contract at the end of this year but Bennett seems keen on extending the veteran, whose try on Thursday night got him to within 16 of equalling Ken Irvine's record mark of 212 career tries. "He's been a lifelong player here and is closing in on being the leading try-scorer in the game," Bennett said this week. "The club would like to see him finish his career here. We'll talk to him ... We want him to stay, but they've got to want to stay as well and be happy with the deal."
The Rabbitohs are already without centre Campbell Graham for around three more games, but are set to welcome back superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell for next week's grudge match against the Roosters. But the sight of the the club's champion winger Johnston suffering another cruel injury setback in his first game back, left fans gutted for the veteran.
Demoralising to hear Alex Johnston succumbing to a shoulder injury in his first game back from an Achilles injury. scored a try while he was on the pitch, but clearly he was favouring his damaged shoulder after scoring. Shattering news for AJ. #NRLSouthsPanthers
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) March 27, 2025
#NRL #NRLSouthsPanthers Terrible news for Alex Johnston; he won't return tonight, fears of a shoulder/scapula injury after scoring his first try back from a ruptured achilles.
— NRL News (@NRLNEWS) March 27, 2025
Four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach Ivan Cleary described his side's 28-0 first half drubbing as one of the most "comical" 40 minutes of footy his team have dished up in his time in charge. The Panthers were missing champion halfback Nathan Cleary (concussion) and had a much-changed backline but the coach said he took responsibility for the defeat, after Penrith's defence was picked apart with alarming ease.
Penrith have been the benchmark in defence for years but have now conceded 118 points across their first four games, which is more than they leaked after 13 rounds in 2021. "We just haven't got any rhythm in the way we're playing," Cleary said. "We're going to need to find it really soon. Once we get that, we will have a better idea of how we're going."
One small comfort for the Panthers was the second half performance that kept the Rabbitohs scoreless and included tries to Liam Martin, Brad Schneider and Jack Cole. It could have and really should have been four tries, but the bunker inexplicably turned down what most thought was a legitimate try to Leota in the 61st minute that proved very costly.
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The Penrith prop broke free of a couple of Rabbitohs tacklers close to the tryline, before getting back up and crashing over. Leota planted the ball down but it spilled out very quickly, prompting referee Ashley Klein to send it up as a 'no try'. And despite replays indicating Leota had control and grounded the ball before it spilled out, the bunker disagreed - leaving commentators and viewers gobsmacked.
'I thought he got it down,' Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said. 'It squeezes out sideways. There is no separation. It is downward pressure that makes it squeeze sideways. I know I failed physics, but isn't it the force of hand on ball that squeezes it sideways?' Michael Ennis added: 'That's a try. He gets the footy down. Moses Leota can't believe it. Ivan Cleary can't believe it.' Voss added: "That is a try every day of the week since April 20, 1908."
Blow up the bunker @NRL.. what a shocker.#NRLSouthsPanthers
— Silvatails (@Goodsy2008) March 27, 2025
How was that called a NO TRY for Moses Leota? 🤦♂️ #NRLSouthsPanthers
— Junior from far away (@IneffableJR) March 27, 2025
That was a try everyday of the week clear as days….. the bunker is an absolute joke #NRLSouthsPanthers
— P (@PS199723) March 27, 2025
How was tanks try not a try? I don't understand it? #NRLSouthsPanthers
— Mancave Sports Australia (@mancavesportsoz) March 27, 2025
That is a wild decision from the bunker lol that's given a try at least 5 times a week #NRLSouthsPanthers
— KC (@kc_the1) March 27, 2025
with AAP
