After a blistering start to season 2016, Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco is on track to break several long-standing NRL and Wests Tigers try-scoring records.
Picking up a double in his side's 34-26 loss to the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday, Tedesco took his season tally to seven tries — one clear of Warriors centre Solomone Kata.
Tedesco went try-less against the Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively, but shook off injury and plenty of defensive attention on the weekend to get back on the scoresheet, and potentially set himself up for a truly remarkable season.
While only five rounds in to the competition, Tedesco needs just 11 more tries to record his best statistical season, having scored 17 tries last year for the Club.
He also requires 15 more tries (an average of less than one per game for the remainder of the season) to break Taniela Tuiaki's record from 2009 for most tries in a season by a Wests Tigers player (21). One try on the weekend against Newcastle would take the fullback past Life Member Brett Hodgson on Wests Tigers all-time try-scorers list.
While it's unlikely that the fullback will break Dave Brown's record from 1935 of 38 tries in a season, should Tedesco continue his hot form to start the season, it's certainly possible the Camden Rams junior could challenge the mark set last year by Semi Radradra.
The Parramatta Eels winger recorded a staggering 24 tries in the season — a mark that Tedesco is already in front of at this point in the season compared to the Fijian international, who had just four tries to his name heading into Round 9 of the competition.
Similarly, in Tuiaki's record-breaking season for Wests Tigers, the powerful winger had scored six tries after five rounds, placing Tedesco ahead so far in season 2016.
Since 2000, Wests Tigers have never had the NRL's top try-scorer for a single season.
Should Tedesco continue his blistering form throughout the year — which it's worth noting also includes four try-assists and five line-break assists — that might well change.
Be there for Sunday afternoon footy at Leichhardt Oval when we take on the 2
2016 NRL TOP TRY-SCORERS (After Round 5)
James Tedesco (Wests Tigers) — 7 tries
Solomone Kata (NZ Warriors) — 6 tries
Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors) — 4 tries
Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos) — 4 tries
David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers) — 4 tries
Kevin Naiqama (Wests Tigers) — 4 tries
Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs) — 4 tries
Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) — 4 tries
MOST TRIES IN A SEASON: WESTS TIGERS
21 — Taniela Tuiaki (2009)
20 — Pat Richards (2005)
18 — Paul Whatuira (2005)
17 — Lote Tuqiri (2010)
17 — James Tedesco (2015)
17 — Pat Richards (2015)
MOST TRIES IN A SEASON: NRL
38 — Dave Brown, Eastern Suburbs (1935)
34 — Ray Preston, Newtown (1954)
29 — Les Brennan, South Sydney (1954)
28 — Bobby Lulham, Balmain (1947)
28 — Johnny Graves, South Sydney (1951)
