South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray has expressed serious concerns about his personal safety, fearing he could be trampled by overzealous fans if they storm the field to celebrate teammate Alex Johnston's imminent try-scoring milestone. Johnston stands just two tries away from surpassing Ken Irvine's legendary record of 212 career four-pointers, with the historic moment potentially occurring during Friday's high-stakes clash against arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Security Measures and Fines in Place
In anticipation of possible crowd disruptions, stadium authorities have confirmed that security will be significantly increased for this round two NRL fixture. Fans who illegally enter the playing field risk substantial fines of up to $5,500 per person. This precautionary measure aims to maintain order and protect both players and spectators during what could be a volatile celebratory situation.
Coaching and Player Concerns Mount
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett previously indicated that field invasions contradict the fundamental spirit of rugby league. His sentiments were strongly echoed by team captain Cameron Murray during Tuesday's media briefing. 'We want to keep the players and even the fans as safe as possible,' Murray stated emphatically. 'It'll be a bit chaotic if people run on if AJ breaks the record. I'll back what coach said. It's not something that I want to see.'
Murray further emphasized that Johnston himself would not appreciate such a disruptive celebration, drawing a clear distinction between NRL culture and other sports. 'We are separate to the AFL,' he noted, referencing the infamous 2022 incident when Sydney Swans fans flooded the SCG after Lance Franklin's 1000th goal, causing a 30-minute game delay. 'I think you have to look at what happened there. I don't think all the players, AJ included, would want that.'
Gray's Personal Safety Strategy
Standing at just 170cm tall, making him the NRL's equal-shortest player, Jye Gray has already devised a humorous yet practical survival plan. He revealed that he has enlisted the help of towering winger Campbell Graham, affectionately nicknamed 'Stretch,' should crowds begin to encroach. 'I was talking to Stretch and I asked him to carry me in the air so I don't get squashed under everyone,' Gray explained with a smile, before turning serious. 'Obviously the security have a job to do. It could get dangerous.'
A Milestone Years in the Making
The anticipation surrounding Johnston's record-breaking achievement has been building for several seasons, intensifying after the 31-year-old winger successfully returned from a serious Achilles tendon injury suffered in 2024. Gray commented on the psychological aspect for his teammate, saying, 'It'll be nice when he gets the monkey off his back, but I don't think it's affecting him too much.'
Despite the potential for chaos, Murray assured that the team would honor Johnston's accomplishment appropriately. 'It'll be an incredible moment if it happens,' he affirmed. 'We'll celebrate it our way, and we'll make sure we do the milestone justice.' The Rabbitohs organization now faces the dual challenge of facilitating a historic sporting moment while implementing robust safeguards to prevent dangerous field invasions that could jeopardize player welfare.
