How every NRL club’s goal-kicking depth stacks up ahead of 2019 season

Last year we saw the emergence of Rhyse Martin and Jamayne Isaako with the boot, and 2019 could be set to produce a new crop of sharpshooters in the NRL.

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Goal-kicking prowess in NRL sides can directly shape the success of each club in any given season.

We saw the emergence of several star kickers with the boot last season, led by Rhyse Martin and Jamayne Isaako, who excelled with the high-pressure duty in their rookie seasons.

The ushering in of the next generation of sharpshooters looks set to continue in 2019.

Here’s a rundown of the goal-kicking ranks at each NRL club heading into the upcoming season.

Jamayne Isaako won top pointscorer and Rookie of the Year at the Dally M Awards. Picture: Brett Costello

Broncos

Jamayne Isaako was a revelation with the boot in his rookie season, nailing the second most conversations of any player with 97 at 82 per cent. Jordan Kahu could initially struggle to crack Brisbane’s starting side, but he’d likely replace an injured Isaako in the backline while overtaking the goal-kicking duties.

Raiders

After infamously missing a crucial conversion in Canberra’s 2010 semi-final loss to the Tigers, Jarrod Croker has somewhat become the king of clutch throughout his career. The Raiders skipper converted at 77 per cent last season, while the club are blessed with quality reserve options. Aidan Sezer is a kicker of serious quality, while Sam Williams nudged them over the sticks at 83 per cent in Croker’s absence last season.

Rhyse Martin had the best conversion rate of any regular kicker last season. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Bulldogs

Rhyse Martin had a breakout year for Canterbury in 2018 finishing the season with a stunning 94 per cent conversion rate. He may well be the best kicker in the competition, but the signing of Corey Harawira-Naera could mean time on the bench for the PNG international. Should this happen, Kerrod Holland would take up the duties and is a more than capable replacement.

Sharks

Star recruit Shaun Johnson will likely take up the goal-kicking duties at his new club. Johnson will be looking to build on a slightly below standard season where he knocked them over at 76 per cent. Kyle Flanagan holds the record for the most points in an under-20s season and will figure at some point in the year should Johnson go down. Flanagan converted at 72 per cent in NSW Cup last season and oozes class. Chad Townsend is another reliable option having kicked 62 goals last season at 73 per cent.

Titans

With a 78 per cent success rate last season, Michael Gordon is the Gold Coast’s first choice goal-kicker. However, with AJ Brimson favoured to steal the veteran’s fullback role, the Titans may have to look elsewhere. The club aren’t short of options, with Ash Taylor likely to take over the duties having kicked at 82 per cent in fairly limited opportunities last season. Should he win a halves role, recruit Tyrone Roberts is another candidate having converted 23 from 29 attempts at Warrington last season. Likewise, Ryley Jacks is capable with the boot if preferred at five-eighth to Roberts.

Daly Cherry-Evans had a strong year with the boot in 2018. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Sea Eagles

Manly have been weak in the goal-kicking ranks for a number of seasons. Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans filled the void with decent success last year, converting at 78 per cent for the season. He’ll take the role again, with Api Koroisau or Dylan Walker to deputise in his absence. Curtis Sironen was a gun kicker at schoolboy level, his SuperCoach stocks would rise significantly if he rediscovers his glory days with the tee.

Storm

The Iceman Cameron Smith will take the goal-kicking duties once again for Melbourne. He’s shown no signs of regressing in standard having converted at 82 per cent last season. Cameron Munster and Joe Stimson are both capable replacements in the blue moon circumstances that their skipper is struck down with injury.

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Warriors

The uncertainty surrounding New Zealand’s halfback makes the goal-kicking duties a major mystery. Chanel Harris-Tavita is believed to have a slight edge over his competition for the role. He’d likely be first-choice kicker, however the young gun only converted at 65 per cent last season in NSW Cup. Adam Keighran is also in line for the position, he nudged them over at 81 per cent for Penrith in 2018. Issac Luke is the other option having jumped into the role at various stages in his career.

Knights

Kalyn Ponga looks set to become the sole goal-kicker for the Knights after sharing the role with the now departed Ken Sio and Brock Lamb in 2018. Should Ponga succumb to injury, Mason Lino would be promoted into the halves and take over the duties. Lino is a quality replacement, having successfully hit 77 per cent of his conversion attempts at the Warriors last year.

Jake Clifford is a strong chance to win goal-kicking duties at the Cowboys.

Cowboys

Jake Clifford and Te Maire Martin are vying for a spot alongside Michael Morgan in the North Queensland halves. Should Clifford claim the spot, he’d likely take up goal-kicking duties having converted at 79 per cent in the QLD Cup last season. If Martin wins out, winger Kyle Feldt would take up the role.

Eels

Mitchell Moses will take the tee for Parramatta after converting at a respectable 77 per cent last season. Clint Gutherson is a quality replacement should Moses lose the duties at any stage of the year. 18-year-old Dylan Brown is believed to be the front-runner to replace Corey Norman in the halves, he’s also a highly capable goal-kicker if required.

James Maloney is expected to play back up to Nathan Cleary at Penrith. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Panthers

Penrith are blessed with kicking options with Nathan Cleary and James Maloney at their disposal. Cleary converted 40 goals at 78 per cent last season and is expected to get first crack with the tee. Maloney bettered his halves partner with 53 goals at 86 per cent, but will likely take a back seat to give Cleary the role.

Rabbitohs

Adam Reynolds had a moderate year by his lofty standards with the boot, kicking at a 75 per cent conversion rate. He’s for many years been among the game’s premier kickers with his precision to again prove invaluable in 2019. If Reynolds was to suffer an injury, Adam Doueihi would likely come into the halves and take up the kicking duties.

Dragons

Gareth Widdop had a stellar season with the boot in 2018, converting 94 goals at 83 per cent to join the game’s elite class of kickers. Zac Lomax will play back up to Widdop, the Temora product kicked 11 goals at 84 per cent when the English international was unavailable last season.

Roosters

In his first season as a full-time kicker, Latrell Mitchell began slowly before progressing in the role. Fortunately the gun centre had plenty of opportunity to develop with the boot in a ruthless Roosters outfit, finishing the season at a respectable 76 per cent. Siosiua Taukeiaho is a decent replacement, while Brock Lamb is also capable if he finds himself in the side.

Esan Marsters improved in his first full season with the tee. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Tigers

Esan Marsters progressed as a goal-kicker throughout the season, finishing with a 75 per cent conversion rate. He’ll likely start the season in the role, however Moses Mbye will be hot on his heels should he struggle for form at any stage of the year.

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Originally published as How every NRL club’s goal-kicking depth stacks up ahead of 2019 season