Records set to tumble as try-scorers sizzle

Records for tries scored across a single season are set to be smashed at a number of NRL clubs in coming weeks, as some this year’s most prolific finishers continue to stack up four-pointers at a rapid rate. 

Already in 2023, with three rounds of the regular season and the finals series still to be played, seven players have eclipsed the 17-try mark, a steep increase compared to last season when just two players had managed that by the end of Grand Final day.

From that group of seven, Titans rookie Alofiana Khan-Pereira has already surpassed David Fifita’s previous club record of 17 by scoring his 18th try of the year in what was his 18th game back in Round 22, while three others are within reach of history at their own clubs. 

Knights sensation Dom Young is likely to be the next to follow, needing just two more to go past the 21 achieved by Timana Tahu & Akuila Uate in 2002 and 2010 respectively. 

Sharks flyer Ronaldo Mulitalo will assume the mantle from Valentine Holmes if he can find the line five more times, which looks achievable if Cronulla make it through to the finals.  

Perhaps the most remarkable of them though is Warriors veteran Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who despite playing only 15 games due to missing the start of the year with a calf injury, has 18 four-pointers to his name heading into Round 25.

With the Warriors on track to finish in the top four and feature in at least two finals games, if he maintains his current scoring rate of 1.2 tries per game he will better the 23 scored by Francis Meli (in 2003) and David Fusitu’a (in 2018).

Remarkably Rabbitohs ace Alex Johnston is on pace to be the NRL’s top try-scorer for the fourth season in a row, currently leading the competition with 21, which has seen him creep up to within 25 of Ken Irvine’s all-time Premiership mark of 212.

But with the Rabbitohs still yet to have their final bye, bettering the club-record 30 tries he scored in each of the past two seasons seems unlikely at this stage. 

Jamayne Isaako meanwhile will become the Dolphins’ inaugural single season record holder when their campaign concludes, with the Kiwi enjoying an excellent year which has seen him score a quarter of his side's 80 tries this season. 

While the type of stunning efforts that seem to defy both gravity and logic have become commonplace in the modern NRL, former try-scoring master Nathan Blacklock, who unlike today's stars never had the opportunity for specific training around finishing tries, continues to watch on in awe. 

“Mate, it’s so exciting to see. They are given little room and make the best of it – they can dive, they are acrobatic and the skill they have is actually amazing – it’s great to see,” Blacklock said.  

“I think the rule change a while back with being allowed to hit the corner post and it not be deemed out has been good for that, you can actually take that on now, and the six again rule too has helped. 

"But just the ball movement, teams spin the ball wide, the set plays are down pat, it’s really good to see that paying off."

Barring something miraculous over the next three rounds from Mikaele Ravalawa, who has 19 tries in 18 games, Blacklock's 27 scored during the 2001 season will remain the benchmark at the Dragons.

That is the third longest standing record in the competition behind only the Broncos (set in 1994 and matched in 1998) and Dave Brown's, likely unattainable, 38 for the Roosters back in 1935.