A lightly-built, baby-faced ruck-rover, rover and forward who was capable of brilliant deeds on his day. Recruited from Surrey Hills, he was a good mark for his size and a good kick. Irwin won Fitzroy's best and fairest in 1975 and played for Victoria in 1973, 1975 and from 1978-80. He was an extremely high-priced recruit for Collingwood and played in the 1981 Grand Final loss against Carlton. Although a regular player in his first year, he was injured the following year and eventually sacked by the Magpies at the start of 1983. He returned briefly to Fitzroy before crossing to VFA side Port Melbourne.