MATE’S PAIN IS ALEX’S GAIN
ALEX Johnston is only playing in the grand final because of the misfortune of an old teammate.
The Rabbitohs winger was on the verge of quitting to sign with Melbourne Storm this time last year until second-rower Ethan Lowe was forced into retirement with a neck injury.
Souths used Lowe’s money from the salary cap to bump up their original offer to Johnston. His partner Taryn was heavily pregnant with their first child, which meant the decision on his future had to be made around financial security as much as his loyalty to the Rabbitohs.
Angry Souths fans had started a petition and a GoFundMe page to force the Rabbitohs into a backflip.
The day it was announced to the team that Johnston was staying, super coach Wayne Bennett said: “It was certainly the most cheering and clapping I’ve heard for a long time in the change room.”
Johnston on Monday said he almost left.
“With Taryn pregnant we were umming and ahhing about our financial position,” he said. “I was pretty close to going to Melbourne but Souths made a better offer. I’m stoked it worked out.”