Great finishers in Aussie sport: Fornaroli to Cahill; Faulkner, Kennedy, Aiken and Meares

THEY are the athletes who know how to add polish to a performance. From goalscoring extraordinaires to tactical geniuses, here are seven of the best in Australia.

Socceroos vs Jordan

CRICKETER James Faulkner has long been admired for his ability to guide Australia home, sometimes from seemingly helpless positions.

It earned him the nickname ‘The Finisher’.

Australian sport is full of stars who know how to put the polish on a performance.

So, from goalscoring extraordinaires to brilliant tacticians, here are seven of the greatest current finishers in Australian sport.

A-League — Bruno Fornaroli

The Melbourne City striker has found the net with such regularity that he broke the A-League goalscoring record over one month ago. He now has 23 goals in 26 games. And they aren’t simple tap ins either. The 28-year-old Uruguayan has an eye for the sublime, whether it be from a dead-ball situation or getting on the end of some impressive build-up work. His teammates deserves plenty of praise for providing the ammunition as well, especially fellow import Harry Novillo and Socceroos star Aaron Mooy

Socceroos — Tim Cahill

Prior to Ange Postecoglou’s arrival in late 2013 Timmy had scored 29 goals in nine years of national service. In the two-and-a-half years as the figurehead of the attack he has knocked in 18, including four doubles and a hat-trick. Even at the age of 36 he remains a feared opponent capable of scoring the spectacular (who could forget his thunderbolt against the Netherlands at the World Cup), a copybook header or even the routine tap. He has scored 47 goals in 89 games, including 30 per cent of goals in Ange’s 28 games in charge

Cricket — James Faulkner

In the mould of Michael Beaven, Faulkner has stepped up under pressure to regularly deliver for Australia in ODIs. Whether it be with bat or ball, the all-rounder can be relied upon to either rescue a dire predicament or push home an expected victory much earlier than anticipated. Faulkner has produced many a memorable knock with his lusty hitting and pinpoint placement. And now his death bowling — featuring a unique change of speeds — gives skipper Steve Smith an enviable late-game option.

AFL — Josh Kennedy

The likes of Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jack Riewoldt have dominated recent goalscoring discussions, but for sheer consistency it’s hard to go past the West Coast Eagles’ key forward. Kennedy won the Coleman Medal last season after kicking 80 goals to help spearhead the Eagles’ grand final drive. The previous year he kicked 61 and in 2013 he landed 60. The new season may not have begun so well for the Eagles but Kennedy has still kicked nine goals, including eight in the round one victory over Brisbane.

NRL — Jarrod Croker

The Raiders skipper certainly gives teammates some peace of mind. When they score he adds the extras more than 83 per cent of the time. He has become a veritable point-scoring machine. Last year he led all-comers with 236 points, including kicking 94 goals from 112 attempts (83 per cent). He also broke the 200-point barrier in 2014. And after the 25-year-old scored 18 points against the Bulldogs on Monday night, another shot at the double century is not out of the question.

Cycling — Anna Meares

Who could forget the 2012 women’s sprint final at the London Olympics? Aussie star Meares faced English arch rival Victoria Pendleton for the gold medal. Meares took the first race somewhat controversially but put to rest any conjecture with a fantastic come-from-behind victory in race two. As Pendleton sped away down the back straight, Meares, who is blessed with incredible finishing speed, bided her time and then launched a withering burst to finish over the top of her rival.

Netball — Romelda Aiken

The giant Jamaican has scored more than 4,000 goals in her eight-year ANZ Championship career with Queensland Firebirds. That’s an average of more than 500 goals per season. And she’s only getting better, judging by her exploits in last season’s title-winning campaign. The 27-year-old scored 648 goals from 779 attempts at an 83.2 per cent success rate. And if her most valuable contribution in their opening win for 2016 against the Tactix is any indication, there are plenty more goals to come.

Originally published as Great finishers in Aussie sport: Fornaroli to Cahill; Faulkner, Kennedy, Aiken and Meares