Alex Johnston wanted to prove to himself, as much as everyone else, that he was worthy to fill Greg Inglis' boots for the rest of 2017 NRL season.
He certainly did that in South Sydney's 38-18 win over Manly at Lottoland on Saturday evening.
Johnston himself had seen the headlines claiming Souths couldn't possibly make the finals without their superstar fullback.
That their year was as good as over, and that virtually no-one could replace him.
That the Rabbitohs had lost nine in a row without Greg Inglis, with a combined for-and-against of -207.
Then he proved them wrong.
"It was just going out there tonight and just trying to prove to myself as well as everyone else that I can play the position," Johnston said.
"He's one of the best in the world, if not the best fullback out there.
"I tried not to let that get into my mind at all. I just wanted to play the best football I can, and play Alex Johnston style footy."
Johnston was instrumental in Souths' win.
With the game in the balance in the final 20 minutes, he sliced through the Manly defence to help the Bunnies to a 26-18 lead.
Then he put the icing on the cake, pouncing on a Robbie Farah grubber to score the final try of the match.
Johnston is not new to the fullback position. He's played there eight times at NRL level, but grew up playing in the No.1 before being shifted to the wing on his first grade debut.
"I love playing there," he said.
"I love just getting in open space out the back and getting more ball and being able to attack."
And it's now at fullback he's likely to stay for this season, impressing coach Michael Maguire in the win.
"It was good to see AJ play the way he did," Maguire said.
"He's always wanted to have a crack at fullback and he's a South Sydney kid that has come through all the grades and it's great to see him excelling."
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