PNG journalist recaps historic moment as Johnston plays 250th NRL game

When Alex Johnston caught the ball on the wing and dived across the line for his 213th NRL try, Allianz Stadium didn’t just cheer, it erupted. But for the small contingent of Papua New Guineans in the stands, including Inside PNG’s Helen Sea, the roar was personal.

Tonight, the try-scoring legend will play his 250th NRL career game in his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs colours.

"Everyone stood up as the ball moved toward the sideline," Sea recalled when speaking to NBC News in an exclusive interview. "When he caught it and scored, the stadium just exploded. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering until our throats hurt."

For Sea, who was attending the match as a fan rather than on official assignment, the weight of the moment hit instantly.

"I stopped for a second and thought, 'Have I just witnessed record-breaking history?' It was surreal."

While the Australian crowd celebrated, Sea’s professional instincts took over. Despite having no formal media credentials for the match and being surrounded by the heavy presence of Australian sports networks, she knew this was a moment that belonged to Papua New Guinea.

"As a journalist, my mind was racing about how to get to him. We were just visitors, so we had no authority to force our way through," she said.

Navigating the strict NRL protocols, Sea managed to secure a small but very important interview with Johnston and his mother on the sidelines. The result was a raw, authentic look at the try king during his most vulnerable and triumphant moment, a feat the PNG journalist says a proud moment for the entire PNG media fraternity.

Reflecting on the atmosphere, Sea said the playful banter and chest-beating of the Australian fans, but suggested that the energy back home in Port Moresby or Lae likely hit a different frequency.

"I reckon Papua New Guineans are just a level higher in how we support our teams. Ours is close to obsessed, in a good way," she laughed. "But AJ’s record showed how the love of the game unites us. Even rival supporters stood up for that try."

The feedback to the coverage has been tremendous, serving as a reminder that when a Kumul makes history on the world stage, the PNG media is there to ensure the story is told through the eyes of his people.

"I am super proud to have done it," Sea said. "Not just for my newsroom, but as a representative of our country."

Johnston surpassed the great Ken Irvine, who scored 212 tries, a record which has stood for nearly five decades.

The Souths flyer has continued to etch his name in the history books with his try-scoring form, maintaining the tally with 217 tries.