The Mole: I kept Ken Irvine's secret for 40 years. Now it can be revealed how he predicted the future
For decades they said his record would never be beaten - but today it can be revealed that Ken Irvine knew that one day, it would fall.
For over 40 years, Irvine made me swear to keep this a secret, and now his record 212 tries was finally broken, I can tell all.
After retiring in 1973, Irvine worked for the media, alongside a young Tony Adams on the now defunct Daily Mirror.
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Ken Irvine. Sydney Morning Herald
I didn't see him often as he was based on the Gold Coast, but whenever I did, I was in awe of the great man who I had idolised as a schoolboy.
We covered one game together in the mid 1980s at the old Redfern Oval and after full-time, were set to head back to the office down the road in Surry Hills.
But the man known as 'Mongo' was a true larrikin - he loved a drink and a good time and said to me 'Let's have a quick pint at the (Souths) League Club and then go back to work - no one will know."
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My head said 'no, don't do it' but I was a cub reporter - who was I to defy a league legend?
So we went across to road to the club, he had his pint while, despite him insisting I have a beer with him, I had an orange juice (I'm a teetotaller).
We spoke about many things - family, footy, his recent cancer diagnosis, and then I popped THE question.
"Your try record - do you think anyone will ever catch you?"
Without a second's hesitation, he replied: "For sure - the game is getting quicker, more tries are being scored - some young kid will come along and beat it - and I'll be fine with it."
Quickly sensing a good story, I asked him if I could write it.
Ken had a think and then said "Nah mate, let it be until it happens, THEN it's a story."
Sadly, Irvine died a few years later at just 50, and the league world mourned the passing of a true legend.
I kept my promise to him - but I think somewhere in the heavens, he'll be smiling down on the game of rugby league today.
