“It didn’t matter what jersey I had on. I was always running on.
“I’m lucky he [the security guard] was eventually fine with it. Otherwise, I might have been in strife.”
With ‘DO NOT ENTER THE FIELD OF PLAY’ flashing across the big screen – alongside threats of arrests, $5500 fines and bans of up to 24 months – it didn’t take much courage for yours truly to follow the leader onto the hallowed turf, past countless empty VB, Canadian Club and Jim Beam cans.
The crowd at Allianz Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
It was single file and more orderly than you might have expected as Souths players were ushered towards the tunnel for safety. Police weren’t heavy-handed and, at least initially, made no attempt to kill the party.
Fans appeared to adopt one of two strategies: flock towards Johnston or simply soak it in, running around like a dog whose owners haven’t let it into the backyard for a month.
The cheapest tickets at footy games are often near the posts and, for once, they proved excellent value for money as kids pocketed a memory that will last a lifetime.
Opportunistic supporters then turned their attention to the corner post as a potential souvenir, though one security guard guarded it with his life. There were the odd idiots making a nuisance of themselves, but overall, behaviour was good.
Fans rush the field as Alex Johnston breaks the NRL try-scoring record.
One fan handed his phone to a mate and asked a female police officer: “Can you pretend like I’m being arrested?” She saw the funny side.
At one point, there was a brief stampede as fans suddenly bolted back towards the stands. Someone thought a police horse had made its way onto the field, though it may have simply been the fear of the big screen reminding everyone of fines worth roughly 550 cans of Allianz Stadium beer.
The only person seemingly drawing more attention than Souths’ players was Albanese, who was spotted power-walking towards the tunnel with personal security and minders as Channel Nine reporter Nicole Dunn grabbed a quick quote.
The crowd goes wild at Allianz Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
Billy Slater, the game’s third most prolific try-scorer, asked Albanese on Nine’s coverage whether he might cop a fine for going on the field.
“Oh well,” Albanese said with a laugh. “It was worth it to be part of history.”
For 16 glorious minutes, Johnston was the centre of the rugby league universe, just a few hundred metres from where Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th AFL goal at the SCG 1449 days ago.
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For all the naysayers who said before the game that it was a bad idea, ask them now what they thought.
The odd supporter who didn’t comply was eventually grabbed by security and given a firm talking-to, but credit must go to venue staff, police and security for an orderly celebration. It ended with rubbish collection and a field inspection that ensured play could safely resume.
“We always knew it was going to be special,” said the Roosters fan. “It was incredible being that close to the players. They all knew it was special.”
For a player who has quietly gone about his business for more than a decade, Johnston finally got a moment few players ever get. Fans hugged strangers, and parents hoisted kids onto their shoulders on a night where a South Sydney favourite made history and rugby league got a moment to cherish.
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