Alex Johnston's eclipse of the NRL's all-time tryscoring tally has taken a permanent place at Rabbitohs headquarters, days after etching his name into rugby league's history books.
The First Nations and Papua New Guinean winger crossed over for his 213th NRL try seconds into the second half against the Roosters on Friday night, edging past North Sydney and Manly great Ken Irvine's half century-standing
Within moments, thousands burst onto the field, draped in both clubs' colours, to celebrate the game's new milestone.
On Monday a life-size bronze statue was unveiled in front of Bunnies' centre of excellence at the Heffron Centre in Maroubra.
Johnston thanked those involved in the "absolute honour", including Danny Taibel — who's donation brought the statue to life, before a tongue-in-cheek gag ended his short speech.
"The majority of my footy career has been overwhelmingly positive — the support I've gotten. But along the way, there's been a few fans that have shit on me. There's been a few coaches that have shit on me, the media shit on me. And now the other pigeons can shit on me," Johnston signed off while drowned up by laughter from the crowd.
A local La Perouse junior, the one club player has ended the season as the league's top tryscorer on four occasions, including his debut and premiership year in 2014.
It wasn't until recent seasons the prospect of overtaking Irvine's record crept into his mind, he said.
To go with celebrations with fans in Australia, "it's gone mad on the streets" of Papua New Guinea, Johnston has been informed, with a letter of congratulations already arriving from the nation's Prime Minister James Marape.
"That 10-20 seconds, I was on top of the world. It was the best feeling ever," Johnston said, describing the moments after placing the ball down for his second of the night before the crowd flocked around him.
"I was scared for a second, (I thought) I've gotta get out of here. If I fall over, I'm gone.
"When I watched it later and saw how many people were actually on the field, I couldn't believe it. How much it meant to everyone and the rugby league community, it's pretty special. I can't believe I had that effect on so many people."
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A heartbreaking loss was all that dampened celebrations.
The Roosters sealed the 26-18 result their way with a 79th minute try.
Exiting the sheds trailing 12-6 in the competition's oldest rivalry, three of Souths' Indigenous stars combined from deep in their own half to create the moment seconds into the return of play.
David Fifita bust through a handful of defenders, opening up the left side for Latrell Mitchell before he left it to Johnston from 40 metres out.
Aside from diving over with a winner, it was a close to a dream way to bring it up, Johnston said.
Now 300 games, and possibly 250 career tries, are the new goals.
Weighing up the potential of ending his career with the incoming PNG Chiefs will have to wait.
"It'd be cool to be the first signature over there, but I bleed red and green," Johnston said.
"I've still got this year, and next year at the club. If I'm still kicking and still got some miles in these legs, I will go from there and see where I end up.
"I love this club. I've always wanted to be a one club player, and we're in this position now where things can go either way, but I've got this year and next year to win some premierships."
Speaking ahead of Friday's game, Johnston told NRL.com creating history "for Indigenous people, Papua, New Guinean people, young kids, hopefully it just gives them a little bit of inspiration to see someone like them breaking a record like this".
"Ken Irvine was small in stature but a giant of Rugby League — one of the greatest wingers the game has ever known. His try‑scoring record stood for more than half a century and was considered by many to be untouchable," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said of Johnston's record setting at the weekend.
"That makes Alex's achievement truly extraordinary. He is one of the finest finishers we've ever seen, and it is fitting that he now stands alone as the Premiership's greatest try‑scorer."
Johnston had already become the Rabbitohs' greatest tryscorer with his 147th try, leapfrogging Nathan Merritt, during Indigenous Round in 2022.
The following year he became the competition's all-time leader for games scoring multiple tries.
