‘It’s pretty crazy’: Alex Johnston moves one step closer to breaking rugby league’s most incredible record

Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record was meant to last forever, but Alex Johnston is closing in on top spot after he went past one of the game’s greatest stars.

Alex Johnston has moved into second spot as he chases rugby league’s greatest record. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

South Sydney veteran Alex Johnston says it’s “pretty crazy” to move past Storm legend Billy Slater as the second-most prolific try scorer, with his milestone yet another timely boost as the Bunnies push for a remarkable top-eight finish.

Johnston has now scored 191 tries and is just 21 behind Ken Irvine’s record that many thought would never be broken.

Apart from a couple of lean seasons in 2018 and 2019, Johnston has been one of the most consistent finishers throughout his 10 years in the NRL, with the winger scoring 104 tries from 2020-23.

He moved past Slater’s mark with a trademark try down the left edge against the Broncos, with Johnston likely to break the record next year if he stays fit.

Alex Johnston scored the 191st try of his career to move past Billy Slater. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It is pretty crazy (to be so close). I’m just honoured to be in this position,” he said.

“I consider myself very lucky, so if I’m lucky enough to score 22 more, I’ll be over the moon. I just need to focus on my job and hopefully that’s scoring tries and getting wins.

“I saw what he (Slater) said in the media. He had some nice words for me, so that’s pretty cool to hear from a legend in the game.”

Johnston’s quest for the record coincides with South Sydney’s mid-season recovery. They have jumped off the bottom of the table as they eye an unlikely push towards the finals.

The Rabbitohs created unwanted history 12 months ago when they became the first team to miss out on the finals after leading the competition through 11 rounds, with their poor form continuing into 2024 and leading to coach Jason Demetriou being sacked.

But they’ve bounced back with three wins on the trot and now sit just five points off eighth spot with their draw after Origin getting increasingly difficult.

Cody Walker has played a key role in South Sydney’s stunning form reversal. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“That hasn’t been spoken about. The last thing we want to do is start looking at the table,” five-eighth Cody Walker replied when asked about finals footy.

“Our focus for the last couple of weeks is just been improving each and every week on what we’ve done the week before.

“And that belief will grow. The confidence will grow.”

The Rabbitohs have had to deal with a number of injuries to their star players, but those guys are starting to return with Cam Murray back on deck and Campbell Graham slated to be back in the coming weeks.

Their attack has looked a lot better, but so has their defence with the Bunnies conceding just 12 points in each of their past two games, having allowed at least 20 points in 10 of their first 11 matches.

The Rabbitohs are surging towards the top eight after a horrible start to the season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“We’ve built on that effort,” Walker said after seeing Jacob Gagai produce an incredible try-saving tackle on Ezra Mam just a few weeks after the Panthers were able to score a soft try off a 20-metre tap which saw Souths roasted by critics.

“For 60 minutes of that Penrith game we were right in it. Every week we’ve improved that area. Whether that’s five minutes, 10 minutes.

“We’re probably enjoying some of the moments in the game now, not letting things in the game get to you or focusing too hard on getting everything perfect.

“The game is not about that. The game is about trying to respond to things not going to plan.

“We’ve upped our completion rate, which has been poor at the start of the year. Our kick chase, our discipline out of yardage has been the best it’s been.”