Ken Irvine
Year inducted: 2018
True Blue number: 525
Born: March 5, 1940, Cremorne, NSW
Clubs: North Sydney Bears, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Position: Winger
Premiership career: (1958-1973) 236 games, 212 tries, 70 goals (North Sydney 1958-70, 176g, 171t, 59g; Manly Warringah 1971-73 60g, 41t, 11g)
First Grade debut: North Sydney Bears vs Parramatta Eels at North Sydney Oval on 28 June 1958
Representative honours: Australia 33 Tests (1959-70); NSW 27 Interstate matches (1959-67)
Other honours: NRL Hall of Fame 2008, ARL Team of the Century 2008, NSW Team of the Century 2008
North Sydney junior Ken Irvine built an unrivalled record for try scoring. In thirteen seasons for the Bears he posted a phenomenal 171 tries in 176 matches, and he was just as prolific for state and country. Irvine’s dazzling speed was mixed with great athleticism and a ruthless try scoring instinct, and he deservedly finished his career with dual premierships at Manly in 1972-73.
New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
