Source : Perth Now news
Two NRL fans have been arrested amid wild on-field celebrations after South Sydney winger Alex Johnston broke the code’s all-time try-scoring record.
But no fines were issued in the immediate aftermath of the mass pitch invasion at Allianz Stadium, despite earlier threats from administrators.
Thousands of supporters rushed onto the field when the Rabbitohs flyer entered rarefied air with his 213th career try in Friday night’s 26-18 loss to the Sydney Roosters.
A police spokeswoman confirmed to AAP on Saturday that a 39-year-old man was arrested following the assault of a security guard amid the on-field mayhem.
“He was issued a court attendance notice for the offences of common assault and enter field of play,” according to a statement.
Police have also charged a 45-year-old man accused of attempting to rush onto the field after Johnston scored his first try of the game, prior to the mass pitch invasion.
Johnston’s first touchdown drew him level with previous record-holder Ken Irvine, who set his mark of 212 tries in 1973.
But other supporters did not breach the field until the winger broke the record outright.
The pre-emptive pitch invader has also been summoned to appear in court.
“He was issued a court attendance notice for the offence of enter field of play,” the police statement read.
“Both men were issued banning notices and will appear before court on a later date.”
In the days before the round-two clash, fans had been threatened with $5,500 fines for entering the field of play.
But AAP has been told Venues NSW is unlikely to issue fines, given the sheer number of pitch invaders, most of whom behaved passively once on the field.
The initial playing area intruder may have a case to answer from Venues NSW but the organisation is considering waiving his fine as well.
The majority of supporters returned to the stands within minutes of Johnston’s record-breaking try, with play able to resume around 15 minutes after the winger made history at the northern in-goal.
By comparison, when AFL fans rushed the pitch for Lance Franklin’s 1000th career goal in 2022, it took more than half an hour for play to resume at the SCG.
