Wayne Bennett, head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, lauded Alex Johnston and Latrell Mitchell following their near-miraculous 25-24 Golden Point defeat against the Melbourne Storm. Johnston’s four-try performance and Mitchell’s playmaking prowess nearly secured a victory for the Rabbitohs in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership match.
Johnston’s remarkable effort brought him within six tries of Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212 tries. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s contributions, including setting up four tries, were pivotal in pushing the game into extra time. Bennett expressed his admiration for both players, highlighting Johnston’s career achievement and Mitchell’s exceptional performance under pressure.
Praise for Johnston and Contract Negotiations
“I said to him at halftime, have you got another try in you, and he said, ‘I have got another couple in me,'” Bennett shared about Johnston’s performance. “And it’s the first time ever he scored four tries in a game, so that’s been a long and remarkable career, so he’s pretty pleased with himself and we are too.”
Bennett also revealed that the Rabbitohs are keen on re-signing Johnston beyond 2025, indicating ongoing negotiations. “We’re negotiating with him and we believe that will happen, but it hasn’t happened yet, so there’s a bit more negotiations to be done,” Bennett stated.
Mitchell’s Impact and Team Dynamics
Latrell Mitchell’s performance was equally commendable, with Bennett acknowledging his crucial role despite initial reluctance to play him due to injuries. “He’s a special player and he was special tonight,” Bennett said, praising Mitchell’s 110-meter run and near match-winning field goal attempt.
Souths captain Jack Wighton echoed Bennett’s sentiments, emphasizing Mitchell’s leadership and influence on the field. “It’s been great mate, he was unreal on Wednesday night and he’s come back with a positive attitude after a tough game and you see the leader he was out there tonight,” Wighton noted.
Souths’ Resilience Amidst Challenges
Despite the loss, the Rabbitohs have shown resilience, with close contests against top teams in recent weeks. Bennett acknowledged the team’s fighting spirit, stating, “They’ve been fighting back every week, they don’t give up so it’s a great quality they have and it’s the one thing that we don’t want to lose.”
Injuries have plagued the Rabbitohs’ season, leaving them at 15th place after 16 rounds. However, Bennett remains optimistic about the team’s potential once key players return. “If we get all the players back, we probably will be a top four team,” he said, expressing confidence in the squad’s depth and capability.
Looking Ahead
The Rabbitohs are hopeful for the return of up to four players from injury in the coming week, which could bolster their lineup significantly. “Well it could be three or four of them next week,” Bennett mentioned, though he refrained from speculating further.
Amidst these challenges, Bennett chose not to comment on Josh Schuster’s indefinite leave for mental health reasons, respecting the player’s privacy. “I don’t want to talk about Josh, that’s personal stuff,” Bennett said, emphasizing the importance of Schuster’s well-being.
As the Rabbitohs continue their campaign, the focus remains on building resilience and capitalizing on the positive aspects of their recent performances. With key players potentially returning, the team aims to climb the rankings and secure their place among the NRL’s elite.
