FIRST there was one fan trying to embrace Alex Johnston, a security guard wrestling with him. Then there were a thousand.
The South Sydney winger became the highest tryscorer in premiership history when he crossed for his second touchdown of the night, 45 seconds into the second half of the match against arch fivals Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
It was his 213th career try, surpassing a record held by Ken Irvine since August 1969.
As fans swarmed the field, security staff and team-mates formed a jostling cordon around the 31-year-old as both teams left the field for 10 minutes – during which the field was cleaned and after which the conversion was taken.
The historical try was scored at 9:06pm local time, the successful conversion at 9:22. They were scenes not seen in Australian rugby league for decades –Â prime minister Anthony Albanese was also sighted on the field during the break in play.
When Johnston returned to the field, he was wearing a gold number two on a specially made jersey.
As for the game – won 26-18 by the Tricolours –Â the Roosters had taken a 12-0 lead by the 27th minute after converted tries to five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans and winger Daniel Tupou.
Johnston scored the tries that brought them back level, the first from a Latrell Mitchell flick pass in the 30th minute and the other by exploiting an overlap in the 41st, running 22 metres to the line.
Mark Nawanqanitwase edged the Roosters back ahead in the second half – a penalty goal widened the margin to eight – but the winger’s error allowed Campbell Graham to post the response with 10 to go.
Latrell Mitchell raised both hands as he landed the sideline conversion to make it two points the difference.
But Daly Cherry-Evans kick handed captain James Tedesco a try in the final seconds.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 26Â (Cherry-Evans Tupou Nawaqanitawase Tedesco tries Walker 3 goals) beat SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (Johnston 2 Graham tries Mitchell 3 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Crowd: 41,424,
Teams:
ROOSTERS: James Tedesco (c); Daniel Tupou, Robert Toia, Fetalaiga Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase; Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker; Naufahu Whyte, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Egan Butcher. Res: Connor Watson, Blake Steep, Nat Butcher, Selesi Foketi.
SOUTHS: Jye Gray; Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham; Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan; Tevita Tatola, Bronson Garlick, Keaon Kalaomatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray (c). Res: Pete Mamouzelos, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Latrell Seigwalt, Moala Graham-Taufa.
Referee: Adam Gee.