Rugby league fans witnessed history on the weekend when South Sydney winger Alex Johnston finally did what many once thought was impossible, he broke Ken Irvine’s legendary try-scoring record and became the greatest try-scorer the game has ever seen. Johnston crossed twice against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, first equalling Irvine’s long-standing mark of 212 tries before scoring the historic 213th just after halftime to claim the record outright. The moment sparked wild celebrations in the crowd, with thousands of fans flooding onto the field in scenes rarely seen in modern rugby league.

For a record that had stood for more than half a century, it felt fitting that it was broken in such dramatic fashion. Irvine’s mark of 212 tries had stood since 1973 and had long been considered one of rugby league’s most untouchable achievements. Yet Johnston quietly, consistently, and almost without fanfare has been hunting it down for years. When he finally crossed the stripe to claim number 213, it was the culmination of more than a decade of relentless finishing ability.

What makes Johnston’s achievement even more remarkable is how his career began. When the La Perouse junior debuted for South Sydney in 2014, few predicted he would one day sit atop the all-time try-scoring list. That season, though, offered a hint of what was to come. Johnston scored 21 tries in his rookie year as the Rabbitohs ended a 43-year premiership drought, instantly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous finishers in the competition.

Over the years, Johnston refined his craft into an art form. His speed, positional awareness and connection with South Sydney playmakers turned him into a try-scoring machine. The peak of his scoring power came in the early 2020s, where he produced one of the most remarkable runs of finishing in modern rugby league. Between 2020 and 2023 he scored 105 tries in just 92 games, including back-to-back seasons of 30 tries in 2021 and 2022, numbers that put him firmly on course to challenge Irvine’s record.

What makes Johnston’s rise so unique is that he did it representing one club. In an era where player movement is constant, Johnston has remained a South Sydney Rabbitoh from debut to record-breaker. He has become the club’s greatest try scorer and a fan favourite, celebrated for both his humility and his lethal finishing ability.

In many ways, that’s what makes Johnston’s achievement so special. It isn’t built on flashy headlines or superstar hype. Instead, it’s the product of consistency, positioning and an almost uncanny ability to be exactly where the ball needs him to be. Year after year, try after try, Johnston simply kept scoring. And now the numbers say what South Sydney fans have known for years, Alex Johnston isn’t just a great winger. He’s the greatest try scorer rugby league has ever seen.