Wayne Bennett made his position very clear: “That’s not our game”.

Four years ago Swans and Hawthorn great Lance Franklin was mobbed at the SCG after kicking his 1000th AFL goal.

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The NRL now finds itself facing a similar situation with an unlikely star at the centre.

While “Buddy” Franklin was the biggest name in the AFL, the unassuming South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston finds himself on the cusp of the record books.

The 31-year-old needs just two tries at at Allianz Stadium on Friday night to pass the legendary Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record (212). It could come against none other than bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters.

Now the looming moment of history has sparked a fierce debate in rugby league circles.

Should fans flood the pitch to celebrate the moment?

Bennett was adamant he wants nothing of the sort.

“I don’t accept it will probably happen,” Bennett said when asked in his press conference following South Sydney’s 40-30 win over the Dolphins.

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‘Can’t fine everyone’: AJ’s cheeky message on field storming flies in face of Bennett’s call

Alex Johnston is on the cusp of history. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

“I don’t see why it should happen, no comprehension of why it should happen.

“It’s the respect of the game that’s the important thing here. We play for 80 minutes, you (fans) stay off the field regardless, and I believe in that. The end of the game? No problems.” Bennett added.

“The last thing I want to see is a game of football (stopped)… how many are we going to allow on the field? When is it going to stop? How long before the game gets started again?”

“Be respectful to the game, for him and everyone playing the game.”

It was a line that was followed by his skipper Cameron Murray on Tuesday

Murray has spent his entire career alongside Johnston. Both players have been active players on South Sydney’s roster since 2017.

Historic record could happen next week?! | 04:44

“It’s an incredible moment for ‘AJ’, but I think it goes against the spirit of the game a bit by running onto the field before the full-time siren,” Murray told the media.

“As much as I can empathise with the fans wanting to run on and celebrate, I think it goes against the spirit of the game and it’s not really us.

“I think it would cause a few more disruptions during the game than we’d like to deal with, particularly if we have to stop for a fair amount of time.”

But while Bennett and Murray may have hoped to dissuade the 40,000 plus crowd expected on Friday, one legend says it could have the opposite effect.

“I think Aussies go against the grain a lot of the time,” Tigers great Steve Roach said on NRL Tonight this week.

“You tell them not to do it and all of a sudden they will.

Roach also dismissed player safety concerns that have been raised. The NRL and Venues New South Wales have reminded fans around potential punishments for storming the field, including a $5,500 fine and risking 12 month bans from major stadiums across the state.

Wayne urges fans to not storm the field | 05:39

“Who’s going to hurt them? Who’s going to take on the Souths pack?” Roach asked.

“I don’t usually go against Wayne Bennett but I think we should celebrate it.

“I mean, Ken Irvine’s record stood for 50 years. I reckon they should sound the siren, and then five minutes later sound the siren again and then get them off” Roach added.

“What if it takes another 50 or 60 years to break the record, when he actually gets the record?”

The debate also reached NRL 360

Fox League’s Paul Crawley said a crowd surge was inevitable.

“The NRL have to do that (threaten bans) don’t they? From a safety point of the game, they have to say ‘don’t do it’,” Crawley told NRL 360.

“Once one kid throws his foot over the fence, 5000 will follow. I actually think it’ll be great for the game.

“This is not just one game of rugby league when it happens.”

Code Sports reporter David Riccio agreed.

“The NRL will be disappointed that we are supportive. We will never see it again in our lifetime.”

So, what if AJ doesn’t break the record this Friday night?

If the wait continues after full time on Friday, the Rabbitohs next face the Tigers in Gosford in round three. The club will then have the bye in round four.

So, what happens if Johnston is still stuck on 211 tries after those weeks? Well, South Sydney then have the big stage of their Good Friday clash against the Bulldogs to look forward to. The same game which drew over 60,000 fans to Accor Stadium last year.

We’ll definitely be speaking about this again if it gets to that stage.