Rabbitohs memorialise Johnston as greatest try-scorer in League history
South Sydney has memorialised Alex Johnston’s record-breaking achievement with a bronze statue, a day after he became the greatest try-scorer in NRL history with 213 career tries.
At a ceremony at Souths training centre at Heffron Park, Rabbitohs supporter and local Bidjigal and Gweagal Elder, Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley, welcomed the crowd to Country and acknowledged Johnston’s “great heritage” and his personal history as a graduate and dux of Endeavour Sports High School and a junior La Perouse Panther, reflecting on the pride felt by family and community.
The Saibai Island and Papua New Guinea man’s history-making moment was set in stone with the unveiling of a bronze statue at the training centre in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra.
Key Points
- Alex Johnston breaks Ken Irvine’s record with 213 career NRL tries
- Bronze statue unveiled at Rabbitohs’ Training Centre in Heffron Park
- Ceremony honours Johnston’s Saibai Island and Papua New Guinea heritage
- Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley welcomes crowd and praises Johnston’s legacy
- Design commissioned by Danny Taibel; artist John Cabello created statue
- Around 2,000 fans entered pitch; police confirm two arrests
On Friday night, the Rabbitohs’ winger became the greatest try scorer in NRL history, breaking the Irvine record and securing 213 career tries.
Describing the tribute as the “cherry on the top” for the 31-year-old, Johnston used the moment to keep spirits high with a joke that drew laughter from the crowd. The statue was unveiled by Johnston alongside Taryn and three children Sonny, Avery and Robbie, his mother Bernadette and father Jeff, and siblings Josiah and Gabriella.
Also in attendance were his Rabbitohs teammates, chairman Nick Papas AM and CEO Blake Sully, Randwick Mayor Councillor Dylan Parker, Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig, La Perouse United representatives, and family members of Ken Irvine and Nathan Merritt.
Ceremony honours heritage and community
The statue was the vision of South Sydney local and Rabbitohs donor and supporter, Danny Taibel, who commissioned artist John Cabello. Certain Johnston would break the record, Taibel scheduled the design, build and transportation to arrive before the match on Friday evening, emphasising the significance of the moment for the wider Randwick community.
“What a great moment in history, and we have it on our land.”
— Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley
Taibel told the crowd the sculpture would stand “in perpetuity” to ensure Johnston’s legacy, on and off the field, is remembered by future generations.
Alex Johnston and family in front of the bronze statue? Photos: NITV)
How the record was broken
Johnston first equalled the 53-year-old record late in the first half before igniting the stadium with his 213th career try. The winger, set up brilliantly by Latrell Mitchell, sprinted home to finish an 80‑metre team effort in the first minute of the second half.
Despite warnings from the NRL not to enter the pitch, Johnston was immediately surrounded by teammates, around 2,000 fans, and even the Prime Minister. Former Kangaroos superstar Cooper Cronk praised the occasion, calling it the greatest moment the game had seen in a long time. Play eventually resumed after nearly 15 minutes of disruption.
“It was pretty crazy, it was full on.”
— Alex Johnston
Johnston said he struggled to breathe amid the heat and crush as people tugged for a moment with the Torres Strait history maker, but described that first minute as an awesome feeling.
