'Thought I was done': Johnston overcomes fears to create history
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Rugby league’s greatest try scorer Alex Johnston revealed after surpassing Ken Irvine’s 53-year mark how he had feared never getting the chance to break the record.
Johnston, who had tears in his eyes as he returned to the field after sparking unprecedented scenes at a sold-out Allianz Stadium when he crossed for his 213th try at the start of the second half against Sydney Roosters, suffered an Achilles injury in 2024.
The 31-year-old struggled with the injury and feared the 212 ty mark set by Irvine, who eclipsed Harold Horder's previous 45-year record of 152 tries in 1969 before retiring in 1973, may remain out of his reach.
AJ 213
“I thought I was done, to be honest,” Johnston said. “When it first happened, all I could think about was that I’m off contract going into my 30s, I’ve just done my Achilles. I was in a bad place.”
Johnston had scored 195 tries when the injury occurred in the Round 21 match against the Raiders and he faced an uncertain future with Wayne Bennett due to return to the club as coach in 2025 following the departure of Jason Demetriou.
“Not many people know that I messaged Wayne,” Johnston said. “I told him I was in a bad place and he looked after me, with some kind words and sort of got me back on track there.
“There was massive doubt so to get past that and to be here tonight feels a little better just knowing I had a bit of adversity to overcome as well. It's something I'll look back on and be proud of myself that I went through that.”
Johnston's record may never be broken as the closest players - Daniel Tupou (184 tries), Josh Addo-Carr (159) and James Tedesco (151) are older than him.
Valentine Holmes (114), Tom Trbojevic (112), Latrell Mitchell (110), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (110), Clint Gutherson (107) are the only other current players to have scored more than 100 tries.
It was fitting that Johnston’s record-breaking try was a spectacular effort in which he had to race 40 metres to score after receiving a pass from Cody Walker.
However, Johnston said he would have taken any try as the expectation of him breaking the record weighed on his mind.
Alex Johnston: Rugby league's greatest try scorer
“This is a massive monkey off my back. It's probably something that's been in the back of my mind and something I just really wanted to get done as soon as possible,” he said.
“I was a bit cut last week that Latrell didn't pass me that ball. Even though that's not the try I would want to get it with, but just because I wanted to get it over and done with and go back to trying to win games of footy and focusing on that rather than scoring these tries.”
Asked to nominate his favourite among the 213 tries he has scored since 2014, Johnston said: “It's hard to go past the one tonight. Just obviously the moment, the celebrations and yeah, it's something I probably won't get over ever in my whole life. It's something I'll always remember.”
The game was stopped for 16 minutes after fans stormed onto the field to celebrate the historic achievement and Johnston returned wearing a new jersey with a gold No.2 on his back.
“It's a pretty special feeling and I know Wayne didn't obviously want the people to run on, but you know, selfishly, it was a good moment for myself and to be lifted up on, I think it was Campbell (Graham) and someone else's shoulders, and just to see everyone there, it was a pretty amazing feeling,” he said.
The two that made history
“I enjoyed it for about a minute and then I was like, ‘get me out of here’. It was pretty crazy. It was full on, like I honestly was struggling to breathe, and it was so hot in there.
"There were so many people tugging me and pulling... just trying to get a piece. So after about a minute I was just like ‘alright, get me back in the sheds’, but it was an awesome feeling that first minute for sure.
“I didn't expect to get it that quick after half time. If it was going to happen it either should have been me getting the game winning try or just after half time like that. I think that ended up being alright.”
