KFC SuperCoach NRL 2020: Every club’s likely goal kickers rated

Players that kick goals are KFC SuperCoach NRL gold, we rate the candidates at every club and rate those worth owning and those worth kicking into touch.

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The best goal kickers in the NRL average between 2-4 goals a game, giving them around 8-16 extra points per game. This might not sound like much, but it really can help players make extra cash., and the points really add up over the course of the season.

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Goalkicking is a great source of KFC SuperCoach NRL points.

At certain positions goal kicking can sometimes make-or-break how SuperCoach relevant a player is. Just look at halfback, where the top three options all kick goals, or CTW with Latrell Mitchell far and away the best player there.

So if you’re torn between two players with similar base stats, but one of them is likely to kick goals then that may just be the one to lock in.

The extra points on offer for goalkickers can turn a borderline keeper into a gun. Here we analyse the likely first choice goal kicker at each club, their career goal kicking stats and what the SuperCoach implications could be.

BRONCOS

Jamayne Isaako: 150/184, 81.52%

Kotoni Staggs: 14/21, 66.67%

Jordan Kahu: 185/242, 76.45%

Brodie Croft: 9/12, 75.00%

Anthony Milford: 36/53, 67.92%

While the Broncos have a plethora of goal kicking options it does look to pretty much be a two-horse race between Isaako and Staggs. Isaako was tipped to start at fullback for Brisbane this off-season, but the hype has started to fade, after a poor performance in the NRL Nines and Jack Bird is starting at No. 1 in the trials. If Isaako does start he should get the honours, but Staggs is no slouch and did pinch the role off Isaako at times last year.

Jamayne Isaako looks to have slipped back in the race to secure the fullback role at the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

RAIDERS

Jarrod Croker: 744/929, 80.09%

George Williams: 69 goals in Super League from 2014-2018

Josh Hodgson: Kicked 3 goals in the Super League in 2011

Skipper Jarrod Croker is the only real option at the Raiders, which is somewhat worrying if he does miss any time throughout the season. New recruit George Williams has served as a backup goal-kicker during his years in the Super League and could be the next man up.

Canberra's Jarrod Croker is the clear primary goalkicking option at the Raiders.

BULLDOGS

Nick Meaney: 33/43, 76.74%

Kerrod Holland: 76/97, 78.35%

With a number of backline positions up for grabs at the Bulldogs, there are some question marks over who will kick goals in 2020. Nick Meaney and Kerrod Holland are the two most likely choices, with Holland the better of the two but also less likely to start. However, given the Bulldogs had the worst attack in the league in 2019, their kickers didn’t often see too many chances to kick goals regardless.

Nick Meaney (left) of the Bulldogs looks to be the first choice kicker for AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

SHARKS

Shaun Johnson: 371/495, 74.95%

Chad Townsend: 119/181, 65.75%

Goal kicking was an absolute killer for the Sharks in 2019, losing four close games they would have won had they been more accurate. You can’t always blame the kickers, but in games where you score more tries than the opposition and still lose you have to blame someone. Johnson played the majority of 2019 injured and this clearly had an influence on his goal kicking, so perhaps he’ll be able to improve this year.

Shaun Johnson of the Sharks. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

TITANS

Tyrone Roberts: 244/328, 74.39%

Ash Taylor: 94/137, 68.61%

Tyrone Peachey: 6/7, 85.71%

Like the Bulldogs, the Titans were one of the worst attacking teams in the competition last year, and as a result didn’t kick too many goals. Michael Gordon has retired, so it will be between Tyrone Roberts and Ash Taylor in 2020, with Roberts the likely winner. The Titans really need their million dollar man Taylor to step up, and goal kicking is one distraction he can probably do without.

Tyrone Roberts is the man most likely to kick goals for the Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

MANLY

Reuben Garrick: 65/85, 76.47%

Daly Cherry-Evans: 123/171, 71.93%

Manly skipper DCE started 2019 as his side’s primary goal kicker, but after missing five games through injury the duties were handed to Reuben Garrick. The rookie was so impressive that he managed to hold onto the honours even after his captain returned and looks likely to retain it again in 2020. Outside backs that kick goals are extremely valuable for SuperCoach, as it can make up for their typically low base stats and really raises their pointscoring potential meaning Garrick is one for SuperCoaches to consider even at his steep entry price.

Reuben Garrick will have the job of converting his own tries at the Sea Eagles. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

STORM

Cameron Smith: 1209/1616, 74.81%

Ryan Papenhuyzen: 2/3, 66.67%

Cameron Munster: 16/29, 55.17%

Cameron Smith is the club’s best option at hooker, and as long as he is on the field he will kick goals. But Smith is 36-years-old and is nearing the end of his career, should time ever weary the G.O.A.T. we could see Papenhuyzen or Munster pick up the responsibilities. Both of these two are SuperCoach greats without the goal kicking, so the extra points here would make them even better options.

Jada and Jasper Smith nervously watch on as their dad Cameron lines up a kick which if successful would see him capture the NRL point scoring record. Picture: Alix Sweeney

KNIGHTS

Mason Lino: 49/60, 81.67%

Kalyn Ponga: 75/97, 77.32%

Mitch Barnett: 3/5, 60.00%

The Knights have one of the more contentious goal kicking situations in the league, as it all depends around their halves situation. If Mason Lino starts, he will likely be the first choice kicker, but he will be competing against Kurt Mann, Phoenix Crossland and perhaps even Conor Watson for the number six jersey. If Mason Lino misses out expect to see SuperCoach gun Kalyn Ponga to kick. While Ponga doesn’t necessarily need the goal kicking duties to be relevant, it is one thing he has over the other gun fullbacks.

Kalyn Ponga is a SuperCoach gun even without the kicking duties. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

COWBOYS

Valentine Holmes: 51/69, 73.91%

Esan Marsters: 96/135, 71.11%

Kyle Feldt: 21/33, 63.64%

Jake Clifford: 18/26, 69.23%

The Cowboys are another club with a number of goal kicking options. From the four listed above I expect Valentine Holmes or Esan Marsters to be the club’s first choice options. Holmes has been out of the league for sometime, but was incredibly accurate in his last NRL season, even kicking for Queensland in State of Origin. Marsters is another option for the Cowboys, but struggled with an ankle injury in 2019, which did have an influence on his kicking.

Will Valentine Holmes take up goalkicking duties at the Cowboys? Picture: Alix Sweeney

EELS

Mitch Moses: 246/325, 75.69%

Clint Gutherson: 60/85, 70.59%

The Eels have two solid goal kicking options with both Moses and Gutherson, but expect their halfback to be the first-choice again in 2020. Moses barely put a foot wrong last year and goalkicking is one thing that can split the best halfback options from the rest in SuperCoach. Currently one of the most owned players in SuperCoach for a reason, Moses has a lot of upside as it is, and the goal kicking is just the cherry on top.

Mitchell Moses of the Eels. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

PANTHERS

Nathan Cleary: 243/285, 85.26%

Jarome Luai: 8/11, 72.73%

Api Koroisau: 7/15, 46.67%

James Maloney is gone and Cleary is clearly the first-choice goalkicking option at the Panthers, and with a near 86% success rate he is arguably the best sharpshooter in the entire NRL. I believe if you aren’t going with Mitch Moses as your halfback in SuperCoach, then Cleary is a near must have, yet he is a borderline POD at just 14.1% ownership.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

RABBITOHS

Adam Reynolds: 644/784, 82.14%

Latrell Mitchell: 209/281, 74.38%

With Adam Reynolds and Latrell Mitchell at the club, among other handy backups like Ethan Lowe, the Rabbitohs have arguably the best goal kicking depth in the competition. With a better strike rate and the incumbency it’s likely we see Adam Reynolds remain as the primary choice which will definitely hurt Latrell Mitchell’s SuperCoach output. Latrell was the leading point scorer in the competition last year, and he averaged 13.9PPG from the tee. Priced at $653,100 Mitchell really needs to be kicking goals to warrant selection, since he otherwise stands to potentially lose a tonne of cash.

Adam Reynolds of the Rabbitohs. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

DRAGONS

Zac Lomax: 26/32, 81.25%

Issac Luke: 204/283, 72.08%

Tim Lafai: 25/39, 64.10%

Before the injury to Cameron McInnes, this seemed like a pretty easy choice, with Zac Lomax the favourite to kick goals. But with Isaac Luke now in line to start at hooker for the Dragons there is a bit more doubt, given Luke is a much more experienced option. For now we should still expect Lomax to kick, which makes him a very enticing option for SuperCoaches at just $324,600, but watch this space.

Zac Lomax of the Dragons. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

ROOSTERS

Kyle Flanagan: 19/31, 61.29%

Sio Siua Taukeiaho: 38/54, 70.37%

Following the departure of Latrell Mitchell the Roosters lose their first choice goal kicker, but thankfully new recruit and Cooper Cronk replacement Kyle Flanagan is also handy with the boot (his NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg kicking record is much better than you may surmise from the above NRL stats). The club also has Taukeiaho as a back up option, who is easily the best goalkicking front rower in the NRL.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 12: Kyle Flanagan of the Sydney Roosters passes during the Emerging Blues and Future Blues Playing Camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on December 12, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

SUPERCOACH DRAFT ANALYSIS

The Sleepers: Value picks to help you win

Draft Player Rankings: The best players at every position

WARRIORS

Chanel Harris-Tavita: 24/30, 80.00%

Patrick Herbert: 15/21, 71.43%

Tohu Harris: 8/12, 66.67%

Kodi Nikorima: 1/2, 50.00%

The Warriors is another hard one to pick, with variables other than simple accuracy at play. If Harris-Tavita is on the field he is the first choice goal kicker. However, CHT may be used as bench utility leaving Herbert as the next man up with Tohu Harris as a backup option.

Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors. Picture: AAP Image/David Rowland

TIGERS

Adam Doueihi: 10/16, 62.50%

Paul Momirovski: 21/28, 75.00%

Moses Mbye: 111/159, 69.81%

Benji Marshall: 402/565, 71.15%

After the departure of Esan Marsters the goalkicking job at the Tigers is up for grabs with Doueihi reportedly in the lead to win the job. However, Paul Momirovski is right in the race with him having looked pretty impressive when deputising for Marsters in 2019. Co-captains Moses Mbye and Benji Marshall are both solid goal kickers in their own right.

West Tigers Adam Doueihi has been working hard on his goalkicking at training. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

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