It's official. Alex Johnston has etched his name into rugby league immortality, scoring his 213th career try to surpass the legendary Ken Irvine as the NRL's all-time leading try scorer.
The milestone, which had been building for weeks, finally arrived in Round 2 and sent the crowd into raptures. For a player who has spent his entire career at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, it was a fitting moment — a one-club man rewriting the record books.
"I honestly never dreamed I'd be standing here as the game's all-time leading try scorer. I just wanted to play first grade for Souths. Everything else has been a bonus." — Alex Johnston
A Career Built on Consistency
Johnston's try-scoring record didn't come from one or two freakish seasons — it was built on relentless consistency over more than a decade at the top level. Since making his debut in 2014, AJ has been one of the most reliable finishers in the game, regularly topping the try-scoring charts season after season.
His ability to find the tryline from the wing is almost unmatched. Where other wingers rely on individual brilliance or broken play, Johnston has made an art form of being in the right position at the right time. His understanding of angles, his communication with his centres, and his nose for the tryline have made him the most lethal weapon in Souths' backline for over a decade.
Surpassing a Legend
Ken Irvine's record of 212 tries had stood since 1973 — over half a century. Irvine, who played for North Sydney Bears and Manly-Warringah, was widely considered untouchable in the record books. That Johnston has not only reached but surpassed that mark speaks to the extraordinary longevity of his career.
The try that broke the record was vintage AJ — a perfectly-timed run to the corner, the kind of finish that has become his trademark. The Rabbitohs' faithful were on their feet, and even opposition players took a moment to acknowledge the achievement.
What It Means for 2026
At 31, Johnston shows no signs of slowing down. With the Rabbitohs looking to build on their strong start to the season, having the game's all-time record holder on your wing is the kind of confidence booster money can't buy. Every time AJ crosses the stripe from here, he's extending a record that may never be broken.
Congratulations to Alex Johnston — the greatest try scorer the game has ever seen.