Bennett hails Johnston

AS Papua New Guinea international Alex Johnston crossed for his third try in the Rabbitohs’ 24-10 win over Newcastle at Stadium Australia on Saturday, coach Wayne Bennett took a moment to reflect on the fact the club almost let the prolific winger go last season. The Kumuls fullback crossed for his second hat-trick in as many games as South Sydney’s left edge had a night out at Stadium Australia. The 26-year-old’s seventh career hat-trick moves him to second this season, one try behind Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr who has 16. “I reminded myself that when he scored his third try, that we nearly let this guy go,” Bennett said. “He’s an 80s to mid-90s type player. Those wingers were great finishers and he’s as good as you’re going to see as a finisher. “That third try he got was quite remarkable. “He had to adjust the ball on the way to the try-line, while he had all that stuff going on in his head, knowing what he had to do to get the ball down.
The first one he scored, it looked like the rest of them were on the treadmill. He just outpaced them with his speed.”
The Rabbitohs were far from their best against a depleted Knights outfit but never looked seriously threatened. – NRL