Ken “Mongo” Irvine, remembered as one of Australia’s greatest rugby league players, held the first-grade career try record for an astonishing 61 years before it was recently surpassed by Alex Johnston in 2026. Irvine scored 212 tries across his career, setting a benchmark that endured for more than six decades.
Born on March 5, 1940, in Cremorne, Sydney, Irvine displayed exceptional athleticism from a young age, excelling in both sprinting and baseball. He represented New South Wales in junior baseball alongside Reg Gasnier and competed as a sprinter with the Randwick-Botany Club. At just 17, Irvine attended a trial for the North Sydney Bears at Wentworth Park, where coach Ross McKinnon famously remarked, “sign that kid for life.” Irvine quickly made his mark in first-grade rugby league, later also playing for Manly-Warringah and helping secure premiership wins in 1972 and 1973.
Known for his incredible speed and agility on the wing, Irvine’s contributions earned him a place in the Australian Rugby League’s “Team of the Century” and a spot among the 100 greatest players in 2008. Teammates and historians alike celebrate his influence on the sport, noting that his dedication and skill inspired generations of rugby league athletes.
Irvine passed away in 1990, but his legacy endures. As Alex Johnston surpasses his historic try record, rugby fans reflect on Irvine’s trailblazing career and the remarkable longevity of his achievements, cementing his place in Australia’s sporting history.