Rabbitohs legend Alex Johnston continues his pursuit of Ken Irvine's premiership tryscoring record as NRL Round 21 action heads to Gosford on Saturday night.
Johnston's late try against the Panthers took his career tally to 207, just five behind Irvine's magical mark of 212 that has stood for five decades.
Standing in AJ's way at Polytec Stadium will be a Sharks outfit that has found its mojo in the past fortnight with wins over the Dolphins and Roosters.
With Blayke Brailey running and gunning out of dummy half and Nicho Hynes stamping his authority, the Sharks have moved back into the top eight with four of their remaining six games against teams below them on the ladder.
Match: Rabbitohs v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Rabbitohs: The return of Jye Gray from a thumb injury at fullback sees Alex Johnston revert to the wing, Isaiah Tass move to centre and Euan Aitken to the back row. Englishman Lewis Dodd starts at halfback for the first time this season with Jamie Humphreys (concussion) sidelined. The loss of Keaon Koloamatangi (ankle) and Peter Mamouzelos (concussion) sees Sean Keppie push into the starting side and debutant Ashton Ward and Ryan Gray join the bench.
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien returns after missing the Roosters game with a hamstring injury but Briton Nikora (concussion protocols) will miss the match. Billy Burns come into the starting side in the second row and Daniel Atkinson joins the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah TassCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis DuncanCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone MunroWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lewis DoddHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva HaviliHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean KeppieProp for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan HubnerLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob HostInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse Colquhoun
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Ryan GrayInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Ashton WardInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Thomas FletcherReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Jayden Berrell
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Shaquai MitchellReserve for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ila
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Salesi AtaataReserve for Sharks is number 20 Hohepa Puru
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Bayleigh Bentley-HapeReserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Ammaron GudgeonReserve for Sharks is number 22 Niwhai Puru
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ammaron Gudgeon
- Ashton Ward
- Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
- Jye Gray
- Ryan Gray
- Salesi Ataata
- Shaquai Mitchell
Sharks Ins
- Hohepa Puru
- Jayden Berrell
- Jesse Ramien
- Niwhai Puru
- Samuel Stonestreet
Rabbitohs Outs
- Jamie Humphreys
- Keaon Koloamatangi
- Peter Mamouzelos
Sharks Ins
- Briton Nikora
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won three of their last four games on the Central Coast.
- The Sharks have won their last four games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored four tries in three games at Polytec Stadium.
- Sharks winger Sione Katoa has scored four tries in two games on the Central Coast.
- Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is in danger of equalling his longest losing streak (eight games).
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
