Could a Papua New Guinean Soon Hold the NRL’s Greatest Try-Scoring Record?

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Papua New Guinea Kumuls winger Alex Johnston is on the verge of rewriting rugby league history as he closes in on the long-standing try-scoring record held by Ken Irvine. Johnston currently sits just one try away from equalling Irvine’s record of 212 first-grade tries, a milestone that has stood untouched since 1973.

For rugby league fans across Papua New Guinea, Johnston’s pursuit of the record carries enormous significance. As a Papua New Guinea representative with Torres Strait Islander heritage, Johnston’s achievements resonate strongly in a country where rugby league is more than just a sport. It is part of the national identity. If he surpasses the record, Johnston would become the greatest try scorer in Australian first-grade rugby league history, marking a historic moment not only for the NRL but also for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

The record he is chasing was set by Ken Irvine, widely regarded as one of the fastest and most dangerous wingers in rugby league history. Irvine finished his career in 1973 with 212 tries, scoring 171 for North Sydney before adding another 41 tries with Manly-Warringah. During his time at Manly, Irvine also helped the club win back-to-back premierships in 1972 and 1973, and his try-scoring record has remained unmatched for more than fifty years.

Johnston’s rise through the game has been remarkable. Since making his NRL debut with South Sydney in 2014, he has developed into one of the competition’s most consistent and prolific finishers. In his rookie season alone, Johnston scored 21 tries in just 18 games, playing a key role in helping the Rabbitohs break their 43-year premiership drought that same year.

Over the past decade, Johnston has continued to climb the all-time try-scoring list with exceptional consistency. His career highlights include three Ken Irvine Medals as the NRL’s leading try scorer and the Dally M Winger of the Year award in 2022, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous wingers in the modern game.

If Johnston surpasses Irvine’s record, it would represent more than just a personal achievement. For many across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, it would be a moment of pride to see a player with Papua New Guinean heritage holding the greatest try-scoring record in rugby league history.

With the record now within reach, rugby league fans across the region are watching closely. The question is no longer if the record will fall, but when a new chapter in rugby league history will be written.