‘No idea why it should happen’: Bennett shuts down historic scene in blunt message to fans

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has urged fans not to jump on the field when Alex Johnston breaks the try-scoring record as the winger inched one step closer on Sunday afternoon.

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After scoring against the Dolphins in a match that consisted of 70 points (40-30), Johnston now sits two tries away from breaking Ken Irvine’s all-time tryscoring record that has stood for more than five decades.

And this could very well happen next week when the Cardinal and Myrtle face their arch-rivals Sydney Roosters, at Allianz Stadium on Friday evening.

Speaking post-match, coach Wayne Bennett was asked whether he was open to fans jumping onto the field when the record is finally broken.

The same thing that happened a few years ago at the Sydney Cricket Ground when AFL icon Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th goal.

“No, I don’t. I do not. It’s not our game so don’t you start writing it,” Bennett said.

“I don’t accept (that) it’ll probably happen. I don’t see why it should happen, no comprehension of why it should happen

“It’s the respect of the game that’s the important thing here. We play for 80 minutes, you stay off the field regardless and I believe in that. The end of the game, no problems.”

Admitting that he doesn’t want to see fans jump the barricade and celebrate the milestone feat on the field, he preferred that people not encourage it in the lead-up to their upcoming matches out of respect for the game.

“It’s just not part of it. I prefer we didn’t talk about it and we won’t be encouraging people to do it and the last thing I don’t want to see is a game of football and all of a sudden (there’s people on the field)

“How many are we going to allow on the field? Where’s that going to stop? And how long before the game gets started again and all the things that can happen with it?

“So, let’s not encourage it, let’s make sure it doesn’t happen and be respectful for the game and for him and for all the guys who play the game.”

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