Alex Johnston nears record as Wayne Bennett rejects pitch invasions around Ken Irvine
Confirmed: Alex Johnston needs just two tries at Allianz Stadium on Friday night to pass the try-scoring record held by ken irvine. Documented: Wayne Bennett has publicly rejected the idea of fans rushing the field, saying “That’s not our game, ” which has sparked a debate in rugby league circles about how the milestone should be celebrated.
Wayne Bennett’s comments after South Sydney’s 40-30 win and the Dolphins match
Confirmed: Bennett made his stance clear in a press conference following South Sydney’s 40-30 win over the Dolphins, stating he does not accept pitch invasions and urging respect for the game. He warned against stopping play, questioning how many people would be allowed on the field and how long restarting would take.
Documented: Bennett framed his objection as respect for all players and the 80-minute contest, adding that fans should “stay off the field regardless, and I believe in that. The end of the game? No problems. ” That position was echoed by skipper Cameron Murray, who said running onto the field before the full-time siren goes against the spirit of the game.
Ken Irvine record and Alex Johnston’s near-miss on the scoresheet
Confirmed: The context establishes the exact milestone: Johnston, described as a 31-year-old South Sydney winger, needs two tries to surpass the all-time tally of 212 tries associated with Ken Irvine. The match in question could pit Johnston against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Documented: Bennett has also publicly compared Johnston’s finishing to the style of Ken Irvine, noting similarities in skill, anticipation and feel for the game rather than pure size. He said the record has not been a focus within the squad and that “it’ll happen, and when it happens we’ll all celebrate, ” indicating the club expects the milestone to arise from normal play rather than deliberate arrangements.
SCG precedent with Lance Franklin, Alex Johnston’s cheeky on-field signal, and the Roosters rivalry
Documented: The context points to a prior crowd reaction in the AFL when Lance Franklin was mobbed at the SCG after kicking his 1000th goal, a moment framed as a precedent for large-scale on-field celebrations. That comparison has entered discussions about whether fans should similarly rush the turf for Johnston.
Documented: At least one signal from within South Sydney appears to cut against Bennett’s position: a media headline in the context references an “AJ” cheeky message — framed as “Can’t fine everyone” — on field storming that flies in the face of Bennett’s call. Meanwhile, the looming clash with bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters raises the stakes for both the milestone and crowd response.
Open question: The context does not confirm whether fans will attempt to flood the pitch at Allianz Stadium, how match officials or stadium security will respond, or whether any formal policy has been announced to prevent field entry. What remains unclear is how organisers will balance fan enthusiasm with Bennett’s appeal for respect of the game.
Confirmed threshold to resolve the debate: If fans remain off the field at the end of the Roosters match when Alex Johnston crosses for the historic try, it would establish that Bennett’s stance on maintaining the 80-minute contest prevailed over calls for an on-field celebration. That single, observable outcome would answer the central question left open by the documented positions.
