Divots, fines … and injuries: Why Souths fans should avoid storming field if Johnston breaks record
South Sydney fans are being urged not to storm the pitch if Alex Johnston breaks the game's try-scoring record this weekend – because they will leave divots on the Allianz Stadium surface and may be fined.
The regular pooling of water and poor drainage at the Moore Park venue has come under fire from officials and players alike – and now it poses a health hazard for supporters who could be about to witness history when Souths play Parramatta on Saturday night.
Johnston needs three tries to draw level with Ken Irvine's long-standing record of 212 career tries, and four to set a new mark.
The winger has scored 16 hat-tricks in his career, including two matches where he scored five tries, and another game earlier this season when he bagged four.
Under the Sydney Cricket and Sportsground Act (NSW) 1978, pitch invaders risk being fined up to $5500, and a two-year ban from the venue. The surface, which has been criticised as 'slippery and wet' by Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco, could also result in injuries to spectators if they were to lose their footing running on the field.
Souths forward Tallis Duncan would love to see the fans storm the pitch like they did at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2022 when Sydney Swans' star Buddy Franklin kicked his 1000th career goal. On that night, a couple of Swans players were forced off the field and had to walk down Driver Avenue just to re-enter the ground because of the hysteria.
'He's amazing, he's the best at what he does, and what he does is score tries,' Duncan said.
'He makes it look easier than what it is. A lot of the time 'Trell' [Latrell Mitchell] and Cody [Walker] don't even have to look, they just pass to the right place and AJ is there every single time.
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