Alex Johnston

[BossyC]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/scram-anthony-albanese-act-after-historic-moment-slammed-by-fans/news-story/8f65cb1cae7a6dde6b5c4df8d174ea7d

I have nothing but contempt for the so called RL fans that saw the need to boo Albo. Such a bunch of yobos! I saw the "pitch invasion" as inevitable after the comments by Wayne Bennet, and more a "copy cat" event after the AFL ground invasion a few seasons back. I also saw it as good for the game, not that it should happen again, but reserved for equally great occasions.

 

[mave]

I don't like that argument. How many of Irvine's tries would have been taken denied if they had a video referee?

Exactly.

This is why comparisons between eras never works.

I mean, imagine how many more tries Irvine would have scored if he wasnt saddled with the Bears baggage.

The facts are that AJ has scored more tries than KI.
Its that simple.

 

[King hit]

Exactly.

This is why comparisons between eras never works.

I mean, imagine how many more tries Irvine would have scored if he wasnt saddled with the Bears baggage.

The facts are that AJ has scored more tries than KI.
Its that simple.

It would be good if there was a highlight reel of Irvine it’s just the way it is as TV wasn’t a big thing for the majority of his career. Irvine also played with much less space than Johnstone as well so imagine him with the 10 meter rule.

 

[BossyC]

It would be good if there was a highlight reel of Irvine it’s just the way it is as TV wasn’t a big thing for the majority of his career. Irvine also played with much less space than Johnstone as well so imagine him with the 10 meter rule.

Ken Irvine

Ken Irvine was the fastest player of his age. He was an athletic try-scoring machine whose place in league's Hall of Fame will never be disputed.

www.nrl.com

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[Bazal]

As an aside, how many tries would Irvine have scored if he was able to have touched the corner post ?

And how many wouldn't he have scored against fully professional, full time athletes and defensive structures?

I know you're not having a crack btw. But I do think it's a meaningless thing to compare achievements in different eras as others have said. Even though it's the same stat in a way (tries scored) it's not comparable because the game is so different from what it was. Professionalism counts for an awful lot

 

[Exsilium]

I went to the NFL Pro-Bowl (All Star Game) in 2006 and they warned the crowd about entering the field. We did it anyway at full-time and it was worth it for me as I ended up with Larry Fitzgeralds game day jersey and I was arrested on field with many others but the cops walked us into the stands and let us all go.

Sometimes you just have to let the fan emotion, significance to the game and the situation itself dictate the formal outcome. Imagine the look if fines were actually handed out. Would have been a nightmare PR situation for the game.

It's not like it happens every week or every year.

 

[Exsilium]

And how many wouldn't he have scored against fully professional, full time athletes and defensive structures?

I know you're not having a crack btw. But I do think it's a meaningless thing to compare achievements in different eras as others have said. Even though it's the same stat in a way (tries scored) it's not comparable because the game is so different from what it was. Professionalism counts for an awful lot

I've always been of the view that irrespective of eras and legacy records, they are there to be broken and if they are, well done to those who get their name/club woven into the history of the game.

I respect the players of the past, it's what made our game what it is but in 50 years, who knows, several other records may be broken and those historical players of the past, the legends of our game, will be surpassed and I'm sure they'd have no issue with it.

 

[Reflector]

I'm entirely apathetic towards the existence of Albo but man, some people will do anything to have a whinge and make a historic moment about their fake outrage instead.

The bloke is at the very least an authentic Rabbits fan. But I guess "lifelong Souths fan joins tens of thousands of others in celebration of Alex Johnston" doesn't have the same bite as a headline.

Better than when KRudd would be at the Broncos game and he'd make sure to have a quick sip of his beer when the camera was on him...

 

[Bazal]

I've always been of the view that irrespective of eras and legacy records, they are there to be broken and if they are, well done to those who get their name/club woven into the history of the game.

I respect the players of the past, it's what made our game what it is but in 50 years, who knows, several other records may be broken and those historical players of the past, the legends of our game, will be surpassed and I'm sure they'd have no issue with it.

100%

Some records might never be broken. Bradmans average for eg will take a hell of a lot of beating. But most will.

Tbh most records will eventually get not only broken but blitzed in a lot of sports, as we go further and further into how athletic the players can be. f**k, imagine dropping Payne Haas or peak Greg Inglis in amongst a bunch of working glass alcoholics playing first grade in the 70s?

 

[Exsilium]

100%

Some records might never be broken. Bradmans average for eg will take a hell of a lot of beating. But most will.

Tbh most records will eventually get not only broken but blitzed in a lot of sports, as we go further and further into how athletic the players can be. f**k, imagine dropping Payne Haas or peak Greg Inglis in amongst a bunch of working glass alcoholics playing first grade in the 70s?

Increased likelihood that Inglis gets punched in the mouth

 

[cain3y]

Now that he has broken the record how far do you think he will go.

My guess is around 250 before he retires which will take a hell of a long time to break again.

 

[Bazal]

Increased likelihood that Inglis gets punched in the mouth

Granted, and would.love to see it, but they'd have to catch the merkin first

 

[King hit]

And how many wouldn't he have scored against fully professional, full time athletes and defensive structures?

I know you're not having a crack btw. But I do think it's a meaningless thing to compare achievements in different eras as others have said. Even though it's the same stat in a way (tries scored) it's not comparable because the game is so different from what it was. Professionalism counts for an awful lot

I was having a chat with a mate about this one time and I thought about it differently when he brought up the professionalism of today you’re talking about. Also makes you wonder with professional training and facilities they could’ve been even better players then they were.

As I said earlier Guys like Irvine who did what they did then could even thrive more I believe with the rules today. Imagine Reg Gasnier in full stride with a full 10 meters compared to the tight rules of his era. Either way it’s fun to think and talk about.

 

[Bazal]

I was having a chat with a mate about this one time and I thought about it differently when he brought up the professionalism of today you’re talking about. Also makes you wonder with professional training and facilities they could’ve been even better players then they were.

As I said earlier Guys like Irvine who did what they did then could even thrive more I believe with the rules today. Imagine Reg Gasnier in full stride with a full 10 meters compared to the tight rules of his era. Either way it’s fun to think and talk about.

I definitely think they'd appreciate the rules, but they'd get bashed to death.

That said I only mean on terms of the direct comparison people like to do. Those guys were every bit as talented as the most talented players today, they just played in an era where first grade was literally an extension of park footy. Hold a job, train once or twice a week, lob up on the weekend for a game. If those elite players came through today with the same setup as the current mob they'd mostly still be elite.

Brett Kenny was one of the most talented footy players of all time. Imagine him with the strength, fitness and physical attributes of Dylan Brown?

 

[Greenstar5]

I'm glad the crowd ran on. Will forever live in RL history. He was carried off by his team mates with 1000s of fans surrounding him. That lives on. Understand the NRL saying don't do it from legal and WHS standpoint, but it was pretty clear they were getting the media to tow the party line. Even the NRL App doesn't have any highlights of the crowd running on. Embrace it.

The PM added to the moment. Also adds to great sporting Australian moments. Tony Lockett 1300 and Steve Waugh 200.

Anyways these things have a way of working out. The crowd left the field quickly. Bunker not required. Latrell kicks the goal. The delay was short. And it's was a pretty good game.

Every chance he gets to 250. The bloke who breaks it, probably isn't born yet so AJ will hold it for a while.

 

[Exsilium]

Granted, and would.love to see it, but they'd have to catch the merkin first

Catch him in the sheds after the game. The 70's was wild.

I met Ray Price randomly doing contractor work in the early 00's. He was physically broken and still slugging away after a great career. He told me several great stories about how they'd plan to exact revenge on certain players. Before or after a game. Different times.

 

[Perth Red]

Great scenes. Privilege to be able to watch an historic moment in the game that may last for long after we are all gone. Well done to the fans as well for ignoring the nrl!

 

[Cumberland Throw]

I was at game .. and they mustn't have worded up security correctly .. as areas still had closed gates at bottom of rows.. with crowds crushing behind them .. it went off ok .. but it could have been handled better .. with more of a nudge nudge wink wink attitude to the whole messaging

 

[Steel Saints]

I think this is only the second time the record has changed hands. In 1969, Ken Irvine overtook Harold Horder's tally of 152. Horder held the record from 1924. . While Irvine retired in 1973 with 212.