Why Alex Johnston’s record try was pure humanity <\/a><\/p>\nAfter all the speculation, the fans stormed the field in the aftermath of Alex Johnston’s record-breaking try and the result was an outpouring of emotion celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old passed the mark of 212 that Ken Irvine set in 1973 \u2014 so long ago that 76-year-old Bennett was in the midst of his own playing career at the time.<\/p>\n
Bennett had this week discouraged fans from breaching the field of play should Johnston score the required two tries and enter the history books against the Roosters.<\/p>\n
So he was none too pleased at the jubilant scenes that unfolded early in the second half when the game stopped for about 15 minutes as fans returned to their seats.<\/p>\n
“Pretty disruptive,” Bennett said after the round two clash.<\/p>\n
“We’re out there trying to win a game of football. We’re all out there trying our hearts out and all of a sudden it stops and takes all the momentum.”<\/p>\n
The master coach was in no mood for reflection to begin his post-match press conference, either.<\/p>\n
“I’ve said a fair bit about it and I hate repeating myself, so let’s move on,” Bennett said.<\/p>\n
“I was at a press conference yesterday and I got asked a thousand questions about it, which I answered. We all know how special it is and we all know how special he is.”<\/p>\n
But the seven-time premiership-winning coach was able to concede that, since first coaching in the premiership during the 1987 season, nothing was quite like Johnston’s milestone moment.<\/p>\n
“I’ve coached nearly 1,000 games and that hasn’t happened. It’s a pretty special time,” he said.<\/p>\n
Trent Robinson, coach of Souths’ most bitter rivals the Roosters, was more willing to offer praise.<\/p>\n
“To see a milestone like that in our game is legendary \u2014 to see someone break the try-scoring record,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t want to be a part of it, but to be honest, it was really great to see him achieve that tonight.”<\/p>\n
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