Rabbitohs vs Broncos: Alex Johnston scores four tries in dominant 48-6 win

By Michael Doyle

The NRL's all-time leading try-scorer, Alex Johnston, added four more to his record tonight in South Sydney's 48-6 win over the Brisbane Broncos.

But tonight was about Jai Arrow, who was given an emotional guard of honour before kick-off.

Speaking with ABC Sport, Johnston said Souths were determined to snap their three-match losing streak tonight for their mate.

I think it was just the occasion, you know.

Obviously, the jerseys we're wearing, the week that it was, We really wanted to perform tonight.

when he's about to ring a bell, he starts going with tears, we're about to play a game, and we're trying not to cry,

A big win for a special bloke. What a teammate he is, and stoked that we've got a result tonight for him.

FULL-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 48 def. Brisbane Broncos 6

By Michael Doyle

The downward spiral of the Brisbane Broncos' NRL season has continued, as the reigning premiers fell to a sixth-straight defeat.

On a night where Jai Arrow was given an emotional guard of honour, South Sydney snapped its own three-match losing streak to sink the Broncos 48-6.

Alex Johnston scored four tries for the Rabbitohs, who wore special white jerseys for Arrow after he was forced to retire from rugby league following his motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.

Arrow was emotional, carrying his one-year-old daughter Ayla Rae, as Rabbitohs and Broncos players formed a guard of honour before kick-off in a special rugby league moment of unity.

Brisbane's hopes of kick-starting their season were quickly extinguished when South Sydney ran in five first-half tries to hold a 30-point lead.

Things went from bad to worse for Brisbane, who will end the round six points outside the top eight with a record of 5-9, when Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam both came from the field midway through the second half.

74' TRY: Alex Johnston has four tries for the Rabbitohs

By Michael Doyle

It's just not good enough from the Brisbane Broncos.

Souths make a break down the right wing to put the Broncos on the back foot.

Then a grubber kick to the in-goal is missed by Jordan Riki (Broncos) and Jayden Sullivan (Rabbitohs), and Alex Johnston is there to score one of the easiest tries of his career.

Rabbitohs 48

Broncos 6

72' TRY: John Radel scores on his NRL debut

By Michael Doyle

What a great moment for South Sydney's John Radel.

On his NRL debut, he has scored a try.

It was easy for Radel, he was in support of Jayden Sullivan who made a great line break to set up the try.

Rabbitohs 42

Broncos 6

66' TRY: Alex Johnston has a hat-trick for the Rabbitohs

By Michael Doyle

South Sydney's Alex Johnston has a hat-trick.

With a full set at the Brisbane goal-line, after Xavier Willison dropped an attacking kick, the Rabbitohs shift to the left and Johnston scores in the corner.

Rabbitohs 36

Broncos 6

63' Ezra Mam has come from the field

By Michael Doyle

Ezra Mam has come from the field and gone up the tunnel.

This means Mam and Adam Reynolds have limped off in a matter of minutes.

63' NO TRY: Brisbane come up millimetres short

By Michael Doyle

Brisbane has come so, so close to scoring.

Grant Anderson was being tackled, but reached out to the goal-line.

Anderson grounded the footy just millimetres short of the line.

62' Adam Reynolds is off the field

By Michael Doyle

Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds is off the field.

Tom Duffy is on.

61' Adam Reynolds is limpinng

By Michael Doyle

Adam Reynolds is getting treatment by the trainer.

It's unclear if he has cramp or a hamstring issue.

He took a run and was tackled, and has been limping since.

56' Ezra Mam saves Brisbane

By Michael Doyle

Ezra Mam has kept Brisbane's hopes of a miracle alive for a couple of more minutes.

Souths right winger Edward Kosi dives for the line, but Mam comes across in cover and forces the ball loose.

It is a great try-saving tackle.

Rabbitohs 30

Broncos 6

55' Brisbane drop the ball on the set after scoring

By Michael Doyle

Brendan Piakura takes a run, and drops the ball.

It is Brisbane's 10th error.

Souths have another chance to attack.

Rabbitohs 30

Broncos 6

53' TRY: Josiah Karapani scores for the Broncos

By Michael Doyle

The Brisbane Broncos are on the board.

It follows a Souths kick that went out on the full. Souths have been sloppy to start this second half.

Brisbane march down field. Close to the goal-line, following an Ezra Mam line break, Brisbane go to the short-side and left winger Josiah Karapani scores.

Adam Reynolds successfully kicks the conversion from the left touchline.

Rabbitohs 30

Broncos 6

51' Rabbitohs bring on John Radel for his NRL debut

By Michael Doyle

45' Brisbane foward Jordan Riki limping

By Michael Doyle

We will keep an eye on Jordan Riki, who does not look comfortable with a lower leg issue.

Rabbitohs 30

Broncos 0

44' Souths defend their line

By Michael Doyle

A mistake from the Rabbitohs — Tallis Duncan was tackled over the touchline — gave the Broncos the ball at midfield.

The Broncos march down the field well, and go close to scoring.

It was the final play and Ezra Mam stepped through a fractured defensive line.

Souths fullback Jye Gray makes a great tackle around the legs to stop Mam in his tracks, two metres from the goal-line.

Rabbitohs 30

Broncos 0

Second half of Rabbitohs vs Broncos begins

By Michael Doyle

The Brisbane Broncos will need to produce the largest comeback in NRL history to avoid a sixth-straight loss.

South Sydney holds a 30-0 lead after an excellent first half.

ICYMI: Jai Arrow given emotional guard of honour

By Michael Doyle

That pre-game ceremony for Jai and his family was beautiful but heartbreaking. You’ll never walk alone Jai, all of Queensland and Australia are with you 💕

- Tanya

How bad is it going for the Broncos?

By Michael Doyle

Not performances from the defending premiers you'd expect. Have we seen such a weak subsequent season before ? Broncos seemingly on a downward spiral. Not sure of the remedy.

- Old timer

G'day Old timer.

The struggles of the Broncos, the reigning NRL premiers, is bad.

The last time the reigning premier failed to make finals the next year was 20 years ago.

The Wests Tigers, after winning the 2005 premiership, finished 11th the next year.

Canterbury, after winning the 2004 premiership, also missed the finals the following year.

But since 2006, every NRL premier has made finals the next year.

*Melbourne won the 2009 grand final but was stripped of the premiership, and their points deduction penalty meant they missed finals in 2010