<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thousands swarmed Alex Johnston as the </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-alex-johnston-record-ken-irvine-south-sydney-rabbitohs-roosters-result-video-highlights-20260313-p5oaep.html" rel="" target="_blank" title="Rabbitohs winger made NRL history tonight"><span>Rabbitohs winger made NRL history tonight</span></a><span> by breaking the record for most tries scored, and there was one face amongst the crowd that took many by surprise: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The nation's leader joined the fan chaos at Allianz Stadium that forced players to retreat to the sheds and halted the game for more than 15 minutes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commentators on Nine revelled in "a moment the game will never forget".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/insufficient-evidence-to-charge-trio-connected-to-dezi-freeman-case-police-say/972e4cb9-0491-4416-9036-d0d5e7423ee5" rel="" target="" title="Dezi Freeman's wife won't be charged over hunt for accused cop-killer"><strong><span>Dezi Freeman's wife won't be charged over hunt for accused cop-killer</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Johnston's runaway try against the Sydney Roosters took his career total to 213, surpassing the record held by Ken Irvine for 53 years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I know it's not the right thing at the moment for the players, but this is a one-off," Brad Fittler said of the fan celebrations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is the only time this will happen in their life."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/alex-johnston-nrl-record-breaking-try-pm-anthony-albanese-joins-crowd-swarming-pitch/0abc0024-ede6-44b9-a054-f0035e5f2c99" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Security at first had attempted to stop some of the fans but it was to no use in an iconic moment for rugby league.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And even Albanese couldn't resist being part of the celebrations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jury-finds-expat-businessman-was-chinese-spy-asset/484f8830-4085-425e-995e-6a79031d478c"><strong><span>Jury finds Australian businessman was Chinese spy asset</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NRL legend Billy Slater interviewed Albanese after the game, asking if he faced being fined for joining the on-field celebrations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was worth it to be part of history," Albanese said, a red and green Rabbitohs scarf around his neck.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And a great moment for Alex Johnston.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/petrol-australia-energy-minister-chris-bowen-lashes-motorists-for-hoarding-fuel/b4449e6e-74b9-43f8-8dc8-18d893ff2674"><strong><span>Energy minister unleashes over 'un-Australian' petrol act</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime minister is South Sydney's No.1 ticket holder and has been a fan for life.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was previously a director on the club's board, and a personal supporter of Johnston, including a period when the star almost left the club.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese's relationship with the Rabbitohs is so storied that he even fell in love with his wife, Jodie Haydon, in part due to their shared adoration of the club.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's incredible and he's a La Perouse local," Albanese said as he continued about Johnston.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's a proud Indigenous man, he's an author, he's written kids' books.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's just a great Australian."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/western-australia-comes-out-on-top-in-103-billion-gst-carveup-deal/369d01e7-7fc2-44b8-a172-2a3ff1e5ab68"><strong><span>Bonus $6.6 billion handout given to Aussie state that needs it least</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns said it was great to have the prime minister present, especially given his personal connection to Johnston.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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 said on Nine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It just adds to the night."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unfortunately for the Rabbitohs, Johnston's brilliance was not enough and the Roosters won 26-18.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>