Rabbitohs under fire for vetoing NRL's own Buddy Franklin moment as Alex Johnston nears all-time record
The Rabbitohs issued a warning to fans on Saturday to 'celebrate from the stands' rather than run onto the field if the winger breaks the record, preventing the NRL from having its own Buddy Franklin moment.
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'As Alex Johnston approaches NRL history, excitement is building across our passionate Members and supporters,' South Sydney posted on its official X account.
'When AJ breaks the record, we ask that fans celebrate from the stands.'
When the Swans and Hawthorn great booted his 1000th career goal, fans stormed the pitch in spectacular scenes.
And many felt that the NRL was finally about to get its moment in the sun, with Johnston only needing three tries to tie, and four to break Ken Irvine's longstanding record.
But Souths have extinguished that plan, something NRL great Luke Lewis labelled 'dumb'.
'That's dumb,' Lewis said, speaking about Souths' post begging fans not to storm the pitch on ABC Sport.
'We're going into something that we'll probably never see again.
'I loved it when the AFL had all the supporters run on the field. I loved it, I thought it was an iconic moment, the photos are phenomenal.'
The Bunnies' message is clear and undoubtedly legally driven and comes after Johnston's teammate Tallis Duncan voiced that he hoped fans all ran onto the pitch to celebrate.
'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,' Duncan told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week.
'Everyone is really excited for him. We've got boys talking about, 'who wants to be the one to throw the (final) pass,' Duncan added.
'I don't know if I'll get into trouble with the NRL for saying this, but it would be mad to see (fans storm the pitch).
'I know they did it for Buddy Franklin in the AFL, and it was cool to watch. I hope it's celebrated by the NRL, rather than people getting in trouble.'
The regular pooling of water and bad drainage at Allianz Stadium- where Souths will face the Eels on Saturday night – poses a serious hazard for supporters who may opt to charge onto the field.
Under the Sydney Cricket and Sportsground Act (NSW) 1978, pitch invaders can be fined up to $5500 and a two-year ban from the venue.
So there is plenty of a deterrent, but whether fans listen, well, we will have to wait and see.
Johnston has played his entire 240-game NRL career with the Rabbitohs and is a fan favourite.
The 30-year-old faces the Eels, Dragons and Roosters to end the season.
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