A significant milestone in rugby league history has recently emerged, with Alex Johnston setting a new tryscoring record earlier this season. Now, Tom Jenkins from Penrith is on the brink of challenging one of the game’s most enduring records held by the legendary Dave Brown, who scored 38 tries in 1935 for Eastern Suburbs.
After only five matches, Jenkins has already recorded an impressive 12 tries, making him the highest scorer in the first five rounds of a season since 1908. This remarkable achievement places him solidly on the path to not only surpass Brown’s record but potentially exceed it significantly, given his current scoring rate of 2.5 tries per game.
In a recent match, Jenkins established his place in the rugby league history books by becoming just the sixth player to score multiple tries in five consecutive games, alongside legends such as Johnston, Semi Radradra, Ray Preston, Jack Lindwall, and Brown himself.
Jenkins is making a notable comeback in his second tenure with the Panthers, having previously struggled with injury and performance during his time at Newcastle in 2024. His chemistry with centre Casey McLean has proven potent, contributing to his scoring success. McLean’s outstanding performance against Melbourne has not only bolstered Jenkins’ prowess but has also amplified calls for his selection in the New South Wales squad for the upcoming State of Origin series.
As the 2026 season unfolds, rugby league fans eagerly await whether Jenkins will indeed surpass Brown’s long-standing achievement, continuing what has already been a season filled with thrilling records and remarkable performances.