Johnston primed for Eels clash

PAPUA New Guinea international and Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston is looking forward to celebrating his Aboriginal heritage when fourth-placed South Sydney host Parramatta at Stadium Australia on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
This weekend’s National Rugby League (NRL) Indigenous Round recognises the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people make to the sport in Australia.
Johnston’s grandmother, from his mum’s side, is from West Sepik’s Aitape-Lumi and the Torres Strait’s Saibai Island — which is 4km from the PNG mainland.
Asked what the round meant to him, the Crocodile clan member said: “It’s massive for my family.
“Indigenous people only make up three per cent of the Australian population, but we make up 12 per cent of the NRL.
“So it’s a massive achievement and, as indigenous people, we can be proud of that.”
Meanwhile, Johnston said they were “not concerned too much” about Sunday’s 12-56 hammering by the ladder-leading Penrith Panthers.
“Obviously, we played horribly. We know that’s not us,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a reality check. We’re eight wins and three losses.
“Two of our losses were against the best teams (Penrith and Melbourne) in the competition.
“If we want to be up there with them, we have to improve.
“But we’ve got a game this week to turn it around and play the footy that we know how to play.
“When we play that footy, we kill it, we score points real quick and our defence is on.”
The 26-year-old said the third-placed Eels had been one of the most consistent sides since the start of the season, losing just two matches of the opening 11 rounds.
“They are coming off a loss as well,” Johnston said of Parramatta’s 6-28 loss to a red-hot Manly, who have come into finals calculations since the return of Sea Eagles custodian Tom Trbojevic.
“It’s going to be a good clash and I’m looking forward to it.”