Alex Johnston has opened up on the chaotic moment he made NRL history and both a hilarious and touching reaction from coach Wayne Bennett to his record-breaking try.
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Johnston wrote his name into the history books on Friday night as he passed Ken Irvine in the 41st minute with his 213th career try and there wasn’t much time for the Rabbitohs winger to process it all as fans immediately swarmed onto the field.
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While that left Bennett far from impressed, Johnston revealed in an exclusive interview with Fox League’s Lara Pitt that the supercoach had a heartwarming message to the 31-year-old.
“He said we will treat it as a win even though we lost,” Johnston said.
“It was a pretty special moment for everyone to be involved, and to hear that from Wayne and to have him back in coaching, it’s been absolutely honour to hear that from the master coach.”
Although it was a more classic Bennett reaction when it came to the special jersey Johnston wore for the second half, with a gold number two on the back.
“They brought it out and Wayne for a second was like, ‘No, what are you doing? We’ve got to focus’. (But then he was like) ‘Alright, put it on, put it on’,” Johnson said.
“It’s pretty cool. It’ll be a keepsake or I might sell it. I need some money (laughs).”
While it was a “very special” moment, the Rabbitohs winger admitted after about a minute he quickly wanted to “get out of here” as fans continued to pour onto the field at Allianz Stadium.
“As soon as I saw one person run on I knew it was about to kick off, and I just held the ball tight,” he laughed.
“I didn’t want to give it up and at some point I thought I was going to hit the deck and get trampled on and then I got lifted up and I was just soaking it in.
“It was an amazing feeling, and after about a minute it was chaos and I was like, ‘Get me out of here’ and went to the sheds but it’s a special feeling right now and I’m sure it’ll sink in overnight.”
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Fan chaos as Johnston makes history! | 01:03
In all honesty, it was a milestone that very easily could have never happened and even Johnston himself admitted it to Pitt after the game.
Bennett came out in the media earlier in the week and conceded a letter from Johnston, and the legendary coach’s subsequent pleas to South Sydney officials, “saved him” from being on the lookout for another club.
And so, Johnston will be forever grateful. Not just to Bennett, but to partner Taryn too.
“South Sydney has been my home for my whole career through juniors as well. To do it in these colours means a lot to me,” Johnston said.
“I was out the door one of those years. I’m pretty lucky that I wrote that letter. I guess Wayne came out and said that letter saved me. It was actually my missus’ idea as well to write a letter, so I’ll give her credit.”
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