Alex Johnston has become the greatest try-scorer in Australian rugby league history with a double against the Roosters, prompting fans to ignore the NRL's pleas not to storm the field to celebrate.
The Rabbitohs lost the game 26-18 but it will forever be remembered for Johnston's moments, tying the record on the end of a trademark left-side shift just before half-time and then breaking the record as he finished off an 80-metre team effort a minute into the second half.
Fans hopped the fence and mobbed Johnston, who was protected by security guards and teammates and was hoisted onto the shoulders of Cameron Murray and Campbell Graham.
"Pretty awesome, the crowd running on," Johnston told ABC Sport after the game.
"Hopefully there were no fines.
"There was a lot of people out there. It really made it a special moment for me."
Once players were ushered into the sheds, fans were dispersed relatively quickly. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
The NRL had repeatedly, including a few hours before the game, warned fans they risked a $5,500 fine if they stormed the field but the pleas fell on deaf ears.
Johnston said it was an amazing moment to feel that support, but it quickly turned uncomfortable.
"I enjoyed it for about a minute and then I was like 'get me out of here'," he told reporters.
"It was pretty crazy, it was full on. I honestly was struggling to breathe and it was so hot in there. There was so many people tugging me and trying to get a piece, but it was an awesome feeling that first minute for sure."
Even Souths fans and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was on the field briefly after the players were ushered off, and Johnston said he spoke to him but moved on quickly.
"Yep, next question," he said in the post-match press conference.
Opposition captain James Tedesco said it was a "crazy" moment to be a part of.
The field was covered in fans after Johnston's record-breaking moment. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
"Once a couple of people jumped over the fence they all started coming," he told reporters after the game.
"We stood on the sideline and watched people running on; there were kids to 80-year-olds out there.
"It was pretty wild … pretty crazy scenes."
The players were ushered into the sheds by security, after which the fans were quickly dispersed back into the stands, with Johnston re-emerging after a 15-minute break wearing a gold number as Australian premiership rugby league's greatest try-scorer.
The Roosters enjoyed the better second half as they sealed a victory over their cross-town rivals, but the night belonged to Johnston, who is happy to get back to playing footy now.
"This is a massive monkey off my back," he said.
"I wanted to get it over and done with … and we can get back to team footy and get the season back on track."
Earlier, the Warriors scored 40 unanswered points to beat the Raiders 40-6 in Auckland.
Look back at all the action in our live blog below, and check out all the stats in the full ScoreCentre.
Congratulations to Alex Johnston, congratulations to the Roosters and congratulations to the Warriors, who scored a massive win earlier tonight.
We'll be back tomorrow for more live coverage!
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'I was struggling to breathe': Johnston on fan crush
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By Jon Healy
(AAP)
Alex Johnston says he enjoyed the first minute of the fans on the field, but it pretty quickly turned.
"It was a pretty amazing feeling," he says.
"I enjoyed it for about a minute and then I was like 'get me out of here'.
"It was pretty crazy, it was pretty full on. I honestly was struggling to breathe and it was so hot in there. It was a lot of people. It was an awesome feeling that first minute for sure."
Now he's glad to get back to just playing footy.
"This is a massive monkey off my back. I wanted to get it over and done with … and we can get back to team footy and get the season back on track."
Souths coach Wayne Bennett is typical surly about the whole affair.
"I've said a fair bit about it and I hate repeating myself, so let's move on. We know how special it is and we know how special he is."
As for the fans, they didn't listen to his request to stay off the field.
"No they didn't, like some of the players.
"Pretty disruptive. We're trying to win a game of football and all of a sudden it stops and we lose momentum."
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Tedesco describes 'crazy scenes' on the field when fans stormed the pitch
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By Jon Healy
Roosters captain James Tedesco says the pitch invasion was unlike anything he's seen in his NRL career.
"Once a couple of people jumped over the fence they all started coming.
"I think Sammy [Walker] was quick to run off the field.
"We stood on the sideline and watched people running on; there were kids to 80-year-olds out there.
"It was pretty wild. … It was pretty crazy scenes."
Roosters coach Trent Robinson says it was special to be a part of, even if he didn't want to.
"To see a milestone like that in our game, it's legendary. It's incredible for him to achieve that. We didn't want to be a part of it but it was really great to see him achieve that tonight."
One of one
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By Jon Healy
(Getty)
Australian rugby league try-scoring leaders
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By Jon Healy
Here's the list that changed tonight:
Alex Johnston — 213
Ken Irvine — 212
Billy Slater — 190
Daniel Tupou — 184
Steve Menzies — 180
Brett Morris — 176
Andrew Ettinghausen — 166
Terry Lamb — 164
Brett Stewart — 163
Matt Sing, Hazem El Masri, Josh Addo-Carr — 159
Here is ABC Sport's radio call of the moment
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By Jon Healy
Brett Sprigg on the mic.
'Hopefully there were no fines': Johnston speaks to ABC Sport
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By Jon Healy
Alex Johnston says it was a special moment celebrating on the field with the fans.
"Pretty awesome, the crowd running on. Hopefully there were no fines."
He says he'd forgotten until half-time that the team had a special jersey for him with a gold number two.
"They told me so many things that were going on. It was a bit of a blur. Unfortunately didn't get a win but it feels pretty good."
Key Event
FULL-TIME: The Roosters spoil Alex Johnston and the Rabbitohs' night
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By Jon Healy
(AAP)
The scoreboard shows a 26-18 win for the Roosters, but the night really belongs to Alex Johnston and South Sydney after his record-breaking tries.
Johnston is congratulated by the whole Roosters team but shares a few extra moments with opposite number Daniel Tupou, who's fourth on the all-time list, and former Rabbitoh Angus Crichton.
This game will forever be remembered for those two tries either side of half-time.
Key Event
TRY TIME! DCE and Tedesco seal a win for the Roosters
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By Jon Healy
Daly Cherry-Evans nails his grubber and captain James Tedesco is able to get through and ground it to end this game.
78' More nonsense from Cody Walker
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By Jon Healy
He just blatantly takes out James Tedesco as he chases a kick. Walker didn't even turn around to pretend to look at the ball.
Then Mark Nawaqanitawase walks past and looks like he gives him a sarcastic thumbs-up and Walker fires up and pushes him in the back of the head.
Then he's walking away and Nawaqanitawase or Toia have a word and Walker turns around and heads back towards them.
He's just lost control.
73' Rabbitohs fail to find touch
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By Jon Healy
Cameron Murray is clipped high and the Rabbitohs get a penalty, but the touch-finder is batted back in by Daniel Tupou and James Tedesco immediately flies up over halfway.
The Roosters launch their attack, but James Tedesco throws a forward pass that Junior Pauga can't handle.
Key Event
Souths are back in it!
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By Jon Healy
Mark Nawaqanitawase takes a stunning catch above his head to a ball he probably didn't need to play at. He's immediately caught and knocks on, giving South Sydney a fresh chance.
They spin it right and Jack Wighton nails his grubber in behind for Campbell Graham to score.
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What a play by Jack Wighton, who it appears is now playing in the halves with Jayden Sullivan off the field.
Mitchell converts and the Roosters only lead 20-18.
It's officially a sell-out
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By Jon Healy
The official crowd is 41,424.
That's a sell-out. I'm not sure how many were on the ground after Alex Johnston's record-breaking try, but it was a good chunk of them.
63' Latrell Mitchell gifts the Roosters two points
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By Jon Healy
Latrell Mitchell is so happy with himself for trapping James Tedesco as he charges down the right that the Souths centre drops the elbow into Tedesco and gives away a penalty.
Sam Walker converts and the Roosters lead 20-12 with 17 minutes left.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is over in the corner
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By Jon Healy
The Roosters spin it right and James Tedesco and Rob Toia get it to Mark Nawaqanitawase, who has basically no room to work in but is strong enough and flexible enough to get the ball down in the corner despite being clattered by Jye Gray and David Fifita.
Sam Walker converts after getting his left ankle strapped up and the Roosters lead 18-12.
51' Bunker denies two Roosters tries
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By Jon Healy
As we all catch our breath, the bunker has upheld two on-field 'no try' calls, and David Fifita's gone on report for a high shot on Rob Toia.
47' The crowd rises with every AJ touch
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By Jon Healy
He gets the ball 70 metres from home and they rise as if he's broken the record all over again.
42' Latrell Mitchell converts
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By Jon Healy
After a 15-minute delay, we're back and Latrell Mitchell has potted the conversion to make it 12-12.
Key Event
The record-breaking moment
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By Jon Healy
Fair try to break the record with.
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