Rabbitohs Crush Sharks as Alex Johnston Makes More NRL History
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have sent a powerful message to the rest of the NRL and they did it with speed, discipline and one man once again rewriting rugby league history. In front of a fired-up home crowd at Accor Stadium, the Rabbitohs overwhelmed the Cronulla Sharks 36 points to 12 and the biggest headline belongs to veteran winger Alex Johnston.
Johnston delivered a stunning hat-trick performance, continuing one of the greatest try-scoring runs the sport has ever seen. The all-time leading NRL try-scorer crossed three times and in doing so reached another incredible milestone, 100 career tries at Stadium Australia alone. That is the kind of consistency and longevity very few players in world sport ever achieve.
But this was not just about individual brilliance. This was a statement victory from a Rabbitohs side that now looks like a genuine premiership contender in 2026. South Sydney entered this clash sitting inside the top four and after tonight’s performance, they look more settled, more confident and far more dangerous than many expected earlier in the season.
The Sharks actually stayed in the fight early. For the opening twenty minutes, the contest was tight and physical. But then the game completely shifted. South Sydney exploded with three tries in a devastating ten-minute burst before halftime and Cronulla never truly recovered. Their discipline collapsed, penalties piled up and their attack looked disjointed whenever they approached the Rabbitohs’ defensive line.
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What impressed many observers most was South Sydney’s defensive control. Time and again, Cronulla pushed deep into attacking territory and time and again the Rabbitohs held firm. Coach Wayne Bennett will be particularly pleased with the composure shown by his younger and less experienced players.
Fullback Jye Gray was outstanding under pressure and received a standing ovation after several crucial defensive plays, while milestone man Campbell Graham capped off his 150th NRL appearance with a late try that sealed the celebration.
For Cronulla, serious questions now follow this performance. The Sharks came into this round after a dominant win over the Wests Tigers, but once again inconsistency has become their biggest issue. Their forward pack struggled to control momentum, their attack lacked creativity near the line and defensive lapses proved costly against an opponent full of confidence.
This result could have major consequences in the race for the top eight. South Sydney now strengthens its grip inside the competition’s elite group, while the Sharks risk losing ground as the season begins to accelerate toward the middle rounds.
The Rabbitohs look like a team building belief every single week and if Alex Johnston continues producing moments like this, the rest of the NRL will be paying very close attention. Stay with us for continuing coverage, live analysis and every major development from across the rugby league world.
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