{"id":635518,"date":"2026-04-28T04:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T04:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/635518\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T04:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T04:46:11","slug":"alex-johnston-makes-call-on-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/635518\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Johnston makes call on future"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Papua New Guinea<\/a> Chiefs have made their opening move in what promises to be one of rugby league’s most compelling origin stories, and they’ve started with a statement.<\/p>\n

Alex Johnston<\/a>, the most prolific try scorer in the NRL<\/a>, is understood to have signed on.<\/p>\n

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Rabbitohs winger will be the first player to put his name to a contract with the competition’s incoming 19th club, ahead of PNG’s eagerly anticipated arrival on the big stage in 2028.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old shook hands on a one-year deal, understood to be worth approximately $325,000 in tax-free dollars.<\/p>\n

Terms were agreed on Monday night, with Johnston personally informing his teammates and Wayne Bennett<\/a> of his decision the following morning.<\/p>\n

Johnston previously signed an extension with the Rabbitohs that included a clause allowing him\u00a0to sign with the\u00a0PNG Chiefs <\/a>before November 1.<\/p>\n

He carries the full blessing from Bennett and will honour his commitment to the Rabbitohs throughout the 2027 season before spearheading the Chiefs’ revolution.<\/p>\n

Despite reports surfacing that there is no deal tabled for Johnston from the Chiefs, the prolific try-scoring winger went to his personal Instagram to share the news with his followers.<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

The Chiefs are also keen on Jarome Luai<\/a>, as he is not officially contracted due to player options beyond the end of this year, he can also currently talk to the expansion outfit.<\/p>\n

Luai has until April 30 to let the Wests Tigers<\/a> know if he will continue with the club in 2027.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


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