How Rhyse Martin went from accidental kicker to NRL super boot

Rhyse Martin produced the greatest goalkicking season in the NRL era in 2018, but had fate never handed him the tee, his talent may never have been discovered.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Rhyse Martin of the Bulldogs kicks for goal during the round 21 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium on August 2, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

• I’M READY: Flanagan won’t wait around

• DE BELIN: Could NRL be in legal trouble?

Rhyse Martin produced the greatest goalkicking season in the NRL era in 2018, but had fate never handed him the tee, his talent may never have been discovered.

The game’s newest sharpshooter rarely kicked as a junior, but a lack of kicking depth in Canterbury’s lower grades gifted him an unexpected opportunity.

Last season in the top grade, the Canterbury back-rower converted 36 goals from 38 attempts at an incredible 94.7 per cent.

Statistical it was the best success rate of any goal-kicker having had a minimum of 25 attempts since the NRL formed in 1998.

Martin’s amazing consistency eclipsed the previous mark set by Cronulla’s Todd Carney in 2013 where he nailed 45 of 48 shots at 93.8 per cent.

Martin proved himself a terrific goalkicker last season. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Narrowly behind was Penrith’s Michael Gordon with 93.4 per cent in 2009, the Warriors’ Michael Witt with 92.5 per cent in 2007 and the Panthers’ Travis Burns with 92.3 per cent in 2011.

If those before him found any form with the boot in the ISP Cup in 2017, it’s unlikely Martin would have any idea of his quality.

“We were playing our Round 1 game and we had a few goal-kickers in the first 10 minutes,” Martin said.

“I was the third in line. A couple of the boys missed and then didn’t want to do it.

“I said I’ll have a crack, and pretty much just took the role on for the year and built on it.”

Martin can thank Canberra’s Brad Abbey and recent Sydney Roosters signing Craig Garvey for his history-making year, they were the first and second choice kickers who failed before him.

With Kerrod Holland emerging as a high-quality striker at both ISP Cup and NRL level, it’s realistic to suggest Martin would never have picked up a tee had either of Abbey or Garvey taken to the role.

Martin is the most accurate kicker in NRL history. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

In his first season kicking in the lower grades Martin nailed 73 attempts at 83 per cent, a mark that would suffice for the world’s best shooters.

It’s very rare an NRL standard goal-kicker has minimal history in the role, but Martin revealed he was never interested in taking up the duties as he came through the grades.

“I did a bit here and there but I never really wanted to be the goal-kicker,” he said.

“I didn’t really goal-kick until I came to the Bulldogs where I got the opportunity.”

While the opportunity may have fallen in his lap, Martin’s stunning rise into the game’s top echelon of goal-kickers wasn’t a fluke.

“I enjoy the challenge and work really hard at it so it’s good to see it pay off. I enjoy it now and it’s going well,” he said.

While only in the early stages of his career, Martin can continue Canterbury’s long legacy of goalkicking greats, joining the likes of Hazem El Masri and Daryl Halligan who are arguably considered as the best of all-time.

Originally published as How Rhyse Martin went from accidental kicker to NRL super boot