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AAP
AAP
Sport
Scott Bailey

Morris can finish among the NRL's greats

Brett Morris (l) is the first player in the game's history to start a season with two hat-tricks. (AAP)

Brett Morris doesn't know if he'll end up challenging Ken Irvine's long-standing record as the NRL's greatest ever try-scorer.

And the Sydney Roosters centre doesn't care, in fact.

But while the 34-year-old is still playing, the hunt for one of rugby league's oldest records is very much on.

Morris started the season equal-fourth with Andrew Ettingshausen on 165 tries.

In the space of a fortnight he has added another six to his tally, becoming the first player in the game's history to open a season with back-to-back hat-tricks.

Another nine tries will put him level with Steve Menzies on 180.

Billy Slater is 10 further away on 190, and given the way the Roosters' right-edge are playing it would take a brave man to say Morris won't pass him this season.

Beyond that, Ken Irvine remains at the top on 212, having been there since he overtook Harold Horder in 1969.

Morris doesn't know if he will play on in 2022 but, if he does, catching Irvine's 53-year-old mark isn't out of the question.

Not that the former NSW State of Origin and Kangaroos winger is fussed, now or in retirement.

"No (I won't care then either). To me I play footy because I love it," Morris said.

"I never played footy to set records or anything like that.

"I just wanted to play with my mates and win premierships and try and be that player you can rely on and never let your teammates down.

"The tries are a bonus to that. It's not something I sit at home thinking, 'oh I need to score so many tries this weekend or beat the next guy'. I just don't do that.

"I suppose that's for the media to keep me informed and it's probably good for the fans. But for me personally it's not something I spend a lot of time on."

The Kiama junior has seen a significant rise in getting the ball this year, with Luke Keary making the move to the right.

Tries have become so routine for Morris that when he claimed his hat-trick on Sunday, he barely celebrated.

"You only have to look at our side, I am on the end of a backline with Keary, (Joey) Manu and guys like that," Morris said.

"I'm just doing my job, they give me quality ball and I'm just doing my job to finish.

"If I don't score the try then you can spray me. That's my job, I get paid to score tries, I have to do it."

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