Lucky the lifts at Allianz Stadium were quick on this occasion.

With the second half of the Roosters and Rabbitohs clash about to get under way, a few hundred others and I had the same bright idea: race down to the north-west corner of the ground to catch a potential glimpse of Alex Johnston’s record-breaking try.

Up high in the media centre would have offered a magnificent view, but down on the ground with the punters felt like the preferred vantage point – if it even happened.

As I barged out of the lifts, teenagers sprinted past security, clearly holding the wrong type of ticket for that area. At the same time, James Tedesco kicked off to begin the half.

Moments later, I’m somehow standing on the field with thousands of exuberant fans, within touching distance of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is swinging a Rabbitohs scarf around his head like it’s the first Sunday of October in 2014.

The moment Johnston dotted the ball down at the Paddington end of the stadium, just 38 seconds into the half, I had to jump in the air to catch a glimpse as a tsunami of fans surged towards the playing arena.

Alex Johnston of the Rabbitohs celebrates being the highest try scorer in the NRL with 213 tries. Credit: Getty Images

There wasn’t time to scan the scene and see who would break first. Ironically, a Roosters supporter was the first to lay a hand on Johnston, prompting a flurry of supporters onto the field. He took one for the team as the black gates were flung open and all hell broke loose.

“I was in the second row and as he put the ball down, I jumped over,” the fan, who politely asked to remain anonymous for fear of a fine or ban, told me once the mayhem subsided.

© The Sydney Morning Herald