If South Sydney revelation Andrew Everingham crosses the line next week against North Queensland, he’ll match a try-scoring record that’s stood for as long as rugby league has been played in Australia.
Although the records aren’t definitive on this statistic, it appears only one player has ever scored in each of his first six matches to start his career.
In 1908, Eastern Suburbs’ Horrie Miller completed the feat and Everingham is perfectly positioned to do the same when the NRL resumes from the representative weekend.
At the moment, the Rabbitohs flyer has kept up with the quick pace set by Israel Folau in 2007, with eight tries from his first five games.
The notable difference is Folau was a 17-year-old prodigy, while Everingham has played his fair share of reserve grade and is in his mid-20s.
Back in 1962, Mike Cleary scored 11 tries in his first five games for Souths to mark arguably the most explosive debut stretch recorded.
But if Everingham dots down against the Cowboys, the unheralded 25-year-old can at least claim the title for the most consistent try-scoring beginning to life in the NRL.
Everingham was reportedly rewarded on Thursday with a one-year contract extension and Souths teammate Matt King says the Bunnies are seeing the benefit of a player who has arrived in first grade with a maturity rarely seen in debutants.
The right-side winger has benefited greatly from having the experienced King playing inside him at centre.
Speaking from Country Origin camp, King says it’s not out of the question that Everingham will one day join him as a rep player.
“I suppose when you compare a 25-year-old making his debut to someone a lot younger, you can almost guarantee a bit of consistency with him,” said King.
“He’s obviously very hardened to playing a lot of footy (in NSW Cup) and a lot of tough footy.
“It’s hard to compare anyone to Israel Folau but all Evo is doing is doing his job extremely well.
“He’s playing perfectly to his game and, if he can keep going in that vein, then one of these (representative) jumpers isn’t far away from him, I don’t think.
“I’m so proud of him the way he’s playing his footy – it’s outstanding.”
