South Sydney’s clash with the Roosters was already tense, but one moment turned it into something unforgettable, YankeeSports reports.
Alex Johnston breaks NRL try‑scoring record
Alex Johnston raced clear to score his 213th career try, surpassing Ken Irvine’s long‑standing record and becoming the greatest try‑scorer in Australian rugby league history.
HISTORY MADE 👏 pic.twitter.com/U8FC4oztYg
— NRL (@NRL) March 13, 2026
The Sydney Football Stadium crowd of 41,000 erupted, and before security could react, fans spilled onto the pitch. Some had been warned earlier by stadium officials—“Leave the pitch immediately. Fine is $5500 and 24‑month ban”—but the emotion of the moment proved too strong.
🥺#AirTouch pic.twitter.com/pjyXSKR7Ok
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) March 14, 2026
Rabbitohs fans storm the pitch
Witnesses described the invasion as spontaneous and unstoppable. A Roosters fan even joined in before Johnston’s teammates reached him. Soon, a flood of supporters engulfed the winger, hoisting him onto their shoulders like a returning hero.
Phones lit up across the field, capturing the moment for posterity. Johnston himself disappeared beneath the crowd before rising above them, celebrated as the “people’s champion.”
Reaction from players and officials
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou praised Johnston’s achievement but urged restraint: “We love our fans, but this isn’t the way to show passion. It puts players and supporters at risk.”
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was spotted on the pitch with a Rabbitohs scarf, underscoring the scale of the occasion. The invasion delayed play for nearly 20 minutes, yet the night’s significance overshadowed the Roosters’ eventual 26‑18 victory.
A moment for the ages
Johnston’s milestone is only the second time in 102 years that rugby league has crowned a new all‑time try‑scorer. For many, the invasion symbolized unity and joy in a sport that rarely sees such spontaneous celebrations.
As Johnston returned to the tunnel, embraced by teammates, the record felt bigger than the match itself. It was history made—and shared—by thousands who refused to be left out.
