Alex Johnston’s South Sydney teammates showered him in beer as they celebrated him officially becoming the greatest try scorer in Australian rugby league history.
The Rabbitohs veteran’s second try in the game against arch rivals the Sydney Rooster on Friday night prompted incredible scenes at Allianz Stadium as thousands of fans, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, stormed the field just a minute into the second half before the Roosters eventually edged out their fierce rivals 26-18.
Johnston entered the Friday night blockbuster on 211 tries, one shy of Ken Irvine’s record that has stood for 53 years, but it only took him 31 minutes to draw level and another 10 to etch his name into the history books.
Johnston was on the receiving end of a lovely flick pass from Latrell Mitchell and made no mistakes down the left flank to get his side on the board after they fell behind 12-0.
One fan in a Rabbitohs jersey ran onto Allianz Stadium but was swiftly rounded up by security before he could get far.
And it was Mitchell – the man who didn’t pass to Johnston last week with the line wide open – who broke through and linked up with the veteran winger who raced away to past Irvine’s magical mark.
It led to wild scenes as beefed up security couldn’t stop thousands of fans from storming the field to celebrate one of the greatest moments in rugby league history, with the game delayed by 16 minutes as officials cleared the field, with Johnston returning with a golden No. 2 on his back.
That included the PM who is a huge Souths fan and didn’t miss the opportunity to be a part of history, although it’s unlikely he’ll be fined or banned.
A number of fans were arrested and face $5500 fines and two-year bans, with the sold-out crowd booing every time warnings flashed up on the big screen threatening the harsh penalties.
His family, including his three young children, were on hand to witness history.
In the dressing room after the game, the Rabbitohs celebrated Johnston’s huge milestone by showering him in beer.
“It was very special to have my family here and to do it in the red and green as well. I wouldn’t do it in any other colours,” Johnston told Fox Footy after the game.
“I just had a beer with the boys and they tipped beer all over me. So now I’m stinking and I need a shower right now.”
There were fears that fans would be delayed as they tried to enter the stadium, but the bag checking process didn’t appear to be any different to normal, while there were more security guards than usual.
It was an emotional night at Allianz Stadium with the victims of the horrific Bondi terror attack honoured before kick-off in front of a sold-out crowd.
“To see Allianz Stadium sold out tonight for our first home game of the season is a testament to one of the great traditions of our game,” Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly said.
“Our members and supporters consistently create an incredible atmosphere at Allianz Stadium, and we know tonight will be no different.”
The Roosters clearly aren’t keen on celebrating the milestone, with the words “visiting team” appearing where the Rabbitohs would normally be on the scoreboard.
CHERRY RIPE
The knives were out for Daly Cherry-Evans after his Roosters debut ended in disaster across the ditch.
But the former Manly halfback reminded people that he’s far from a spent force as he danced his way through the defence to open the scoring.
Last week’s defensive issues look to have been fixed as the Roosters tightened things up, with star winger Daniel Tupou continuing his magnificent try-scoring record with a powerful solo effort.
It was their other winger who scored what would be the decisive try as Mark Nawaqanitawase came up with another special play in the right corner to somehow stay in and plant the ball to spoil the South Sydney party.
Skipper James Tedesco then pounced on a Cherry-Evans grubber in the final minute as things threatened to boil over.
Originally published as ‘Record breaker’: Alex Johnston becomes the greatest try scorer in rugby league history prompting Albo and thousands others to storm the field