Bennett Remains Pragmatic Amidst Johnston’s Record-Breaking Feat
While the rugby league world buzzed with the historic achievement of South Sydney winger Alex Johnston, coach Wayne Bennett remained resolutely focused on the outcome of the match. Johnston, the prolific 31-year-old flyer, etched his name into the NRL record books on Friday night, crossing for his 213th career try during the Rabbitohs’ 26-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. This monumental effort saw him surpass the long-standing record previously held by Ken Irvine, a feat Bennett himself witnessed during his own playing days back in 1973.
However, the weight of the defeat appeared to overshadow any sentimentality for Bennett. In his post-match press conference, he politely but firmly steered the conversation away from nostalgia. When pressed about the significance of Johnston’s record, Bennett’s response was direct: “I have said a fair bit about it. And I hate repeating myself. Let’s move on.”
Reporters, keen to explore the emotional undercurrents of such a historic moment, continued to probe. Bennett, however, reiterated his stance. “Well, I was at a press conference yesterday and we got asked a thousand questions about him which I answered,” he explained. “We all know how special it is, we all know how special he is.”
The interruption to the game caused by Johnston’s record-breaking try was a point of contention for Bennett. He had earlier called for fans to be prevented from entering the field of play if the milestone was reached during the match. Describing the scenes that ensued as “pretty disruptive,” he highlighted the loss of momentum.
“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,” Bennett stated. He acknowledged that the situation was unavoidable given the circumstances, but expressed his frustration with the ensuing chaos. “It had to happen. It was how it happened after that we had no control over but the point is that I’ve coached nearly a thousand games and that hasn’t happened before… but it’s a pretty special time so.”
Earlier in the week, Bennett had drawn insightful parallels between the current record holder and the former champion, Ken Irvine. He lauded both players for their uncanny ability to find the try line through skill and intelligence rather than sheer size.
A Coach’s Perspective on Talent
“If you look at Ken Irvine, he’s pretty similar to him,” Bennett had remarked. “They’re not big guys. They just get there with skill and guile and great anticipation and a feel for the game. Some of the tries that Alex has scored, if you put other wingers in that position, they wouldn’t score those tries because they just don’t have the feel that he has to come onto the ball… and then get himself into the corner.”
A Nation’s Leader Joins the Celebration
Among the throng of fans who flooded the field, breaching security protocols, was none other than the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. The nation’s leader, unfazed by the potential $5500 fine for entering the field of play, declared it “worth it to be part of history.”
Recalling his own deep connection to the South Sydney club, Albanese shared, “I was on the Souths board when we got kicked out of the comp, and 100,000 people marched through the streets of Sydney, ‘South Sydney ‘til I die’, as the slogan went.” He went on to praise Johnston as an “extraordinary player” and a “great man” who embodies humility and excellence.
“He’s been an extraordinary player but he’s also a great man, he’s so humble. And it was a great moment for rugby league and a great moment for South Sydney. It’s incredible and he’s a La Perouse local. He’s a proud Indigenous man, he’s an author, he’s written kids’ books. He’s just a great Australian.”
Reactions from the Sporting and Political Arena
While Mr. Albanese is unlikely to face penalties for his actions, his on-field presence drew a sharp, albeit humorous, critique from former AFL star Dane Swan. “If our prime minister couldn’t get any cornier now he is on the field after Johnston scored the record breaking try, he is laugh out loud embarrassing. Scram,” Swan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Adding a different perspective, Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns believed the Prime Minister’s attendance amplified the significance of the occasion. “It’s great that he’s here and, you know, it’s not virtue signalling, he loves rugby league and he loves South Sydney,” Johns commented on Nine’s coverage. “It just adds to the night.”
From the opposing camp, Roosters coach Trent Robinson, though disappointed to be on the losing side of such a historic moment, acknowledged the magnitude of Johnston’s achievement. “I think Wayne and I were talking after the game, he’s seen a lot more milestones than I have,” Robinson admitted. “To see a milestone like that in our game is legendary. To see someone break the try-scoring record and to be a person like AJ is (great).”
Robinson lauded Johnston’s humility and mastery of his craft. “I’ve met him a few different times and how humble he is and how beautiful he is at his craft. The man knows how to score tries and his speed and his balance and all of that, it’s just incredible for him to achieve that. In the end, we didn’t want to be a part of it, but to be honest, it was really great to see him achieve that tonight.”
