Johnston sees lure of more history as a PNG Chief

Made in Thailand three years ago with the financial backing of Souths supporter Danny Taibel, the life-sized monument has sat in storage ever since.

Johnston admitted on Monday breaking Irvine's mark of 212 tries had been on his mind since the end of 2022, before an achilles injury in 2024 threatened his shot.

The 31-year-old gave the statue the tick of approval, while joking he would now become a victim of bird faeces outside Heffron Park.

"The majority of my footy career has been overwhelmingly positive, but along the way a few fans have shit on me," Johnston quipped.

"There have been a few coaches who have shit on me, the media has shit on me – now the pigeons can shit on me."

Johnston's feat also attracted a letter from Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, along with celebrations across the country.

Of Torres Strait Islander and PNG descent, Johnston has played 12 Tests for the Kumuls since 2019.

The winger is off contract next year, and will likely be a priority target for the Chiefs when they enter in 2028.

"They just love rugby league so much over there, the Chiefs, every week they'll get massive support," Johnston said.

"It's something I probably want to be a part of.

"Obviously, I'd love to stay at Souths. But the footy over there, I think everyone needs to experience it. I fall in love with the game of footy going over there."

Asked how much he had to weigh up over the coming year, Johnston admitted there were emotional lures both ways.

"It'd be cool to be the first signature over there, but I bleed red and green. I've still got this year and next year at the club," he said.

"If I'm still kicking and still got some miles on these legs, I'll go from there and see where I end up.

"I love this club. I've always wanted to be a one-club player, and I'm in this position now. Things could go either way."

Souths inserted a clause into Johnston's current contract that allows him to join the Chiefs at any time and become their first signature.

CEO Blake Solly also confirmed on Monday the Rabbitohs would not make life hard and fight to keep Johnston if he wanted to leave.

"We understand how strong AJ's connection is with Papua New Guinea," Solly said.

"In many ways, it would be such a great moment for the game if he was their inaugural player signed."

Solly, meanwhile backed calls for the NRL's leading tryscorer award to be renamed the Johnston-Irvine medal, as an evolution from the Ken Irvine Medal, which Johnston has won four times.

"The medal is named after Ken because he had the record and his contribution to the game. Now that AJ's got the record it's absolutely right that AJ's there," Solly said.

"We should never forget all of the great things Ken did for the game and it's fitting that it will be named the Johnston-Irvine medal."