South Sydney will face the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night in what could be the perfect setting for Alex Johnston to break one of the game's most enduring records. After scoring his 211th try in Round 1 against the Dolphins, Johnston sits one try short of equalling Ken Irvine's premiership record of 212, set in 1973.
What makes Friday night particularly significant is not just the proximity to history, but the rare spirit of cooperation between two clubs that have rarely seen eye to eye. The Roosters have told the NRL they will not object to any post-game celebrations should Johnston break the record. This represents a marked reversal from their position just months earlier.
When Johnston loomed as a chance to break the record in the closing rounds last season, the Roosters flatly rejected South Sydney's request for a full post-match celebration. The Tricolours wanted to publicly honour their own departing players, and suggested instead that Souths hold a presentation "in one corner of the ground in front of the Souths fans". That proposal drew sharp criticism from South Sydney CEO Blake Solly, who told News Corp the Roosters were being "petty". The Roosters then went further, demanding a public apology from Solly over that comment.
The clubs' willingness to move past that dispute speaks to the magnitude of the occasion. Irvine had scored an incredible 171 tries in 178 games for North Sydney between 1958-70 before moving to Manly. Johnston has a premiership to his name, having bagged 21 tries in 18 games in his debut season in 2014 as the Bunnies broke a 43-year premiership drought.
Yet even with the Roosters' change of heart, Souths coach Wayne Bennett has called for restraint. He said he wants any celebration delayed until full-time. "Let's not encourage it. Let's make sure it doesn't happen, and be respectful for the game, him and all the guys who play the game," Bennett said. Souths captain Cam Murray echoed that sentiment, saying the milestone "is big enough in itself" without field invasions.
Johnston himself appears more open to the idea. He told ABC Sport that breaking the record is on his mind, adding "It'd be cool for everyone to run on [to the pitch when he breaks the record], but you didn't hear it from me".
The historic meeting carries extra resonance for both clubs. Angus Crichton will play his 200th NRL game for the Roosters in the match, while new recruit David Fifita will get his first taste of the historic battle after returning to Souths. Bronson Garlick, son of Souths legend Sean Garlick who spent four seasons at the Roosters, said he is glad he has no memories of that era. "When you grow up a young Souths fan, all you want is that win over the Roosters, and you're taught to hate them from a young age," Garlick said.
The sporting grace both clubs are showing on Friday night will be remembered long after whatever happens with Johnston's pursuit of history. For two rivals whose hostility runs as deep as any in rugby league, that alone is worth noting.