By Nick Wright
Valentine Holmes’ evolution into the NRL’s most lethal goalkicker could be what decides the Cowboys’ premiership fate.
It is an art form rarely appreciated until a game is won or lost. Just ask Cody Walker, after he took the duties in Latrell Mitchell’s absence – resulting in the Rabbitohs’ six tries-all defeat to the Dolphins this year.
Valentine Holmes has been in remarkable goalkicking form for the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
“You probably underestimate the importance of goalkicking,” Walker said at the time.
“I have a newfound respect for all the goalkickers in the NRL. It’s a tough ask.”
Every session, Holmes is joined by coaching staff to fine-tune his craft.
As he plots a Cowboys’ title before joining the Dragons, the star centre spends hours training and analysing film to ensure his goalkicking is faultless.
The 29-year-old has nailed 41 of his past 43 attempts across the final seven rounds, during which time the Cowboys lost just once.
“Before us and [former Cowboys assistant coach and Sharks’ premiership-winner] Jimmy Maloney parted ways, Jimmy was doing a bit of work with him,” North Queensland head of football Micheal Luck said, ahead of their elimination final against Newcastle.
“But now it’s just Val getting his routine down pat, he knows what works for him.
“He’ll go with one or two of our coaches after sessions to get his strike right. One of our sport scientist’s films when he’s kicking and will go back through the good kicks he had and the improvements he could make.
“It’s a team effort, but the majority of it comes through Val.”
Valentine Holmes kicks for goal for the North Queensland Cowboys.Credit: NRL Photos
But before the State of Origin series, Holmes was not such a beacon of poise.
Until round 12, the star centre had kicked 36 from 48 attempts, and the Cowboys lost three games – to the Panthers, Dolphins and Eels – despite scoring the same number of tries.
Under a Maroons coaching staff boasting former goal kickers Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay, Holmes overturned his fortunes.
Since then, he has kicked 69 from 73 attempts – including all 11 for the Maroons – while striking 22 from 25 sideline efforts.
In finals’ football, goal kicking could prove the difference, as Cronulla found in last year’s one-point elimination final defeat to Sydney and the Rabbitohs in the 2021 grand final.
In 2024, 20 results have been decided by missed try conversions.
Knights fullback and goalkicker Kalyn Ponga will prove the Cowboys’ most dangerous rival on Saturday night, but should Holmes’ maintain his record, the scoreboard pressure could be too much for the reigning Dally M Medal winner to overcome.
“It certainly helps when you’re going up in sixes. Ever since he came back from Origin, he turned a corner with the work he did in that camp,” Luck said.
“It’s been about being consistent with his practice, consistent with his approach to kicking and striking the ball.
“It’s vitally important this time of the year you make every point count because it could be the difference between getting through a semi-final or losing the premiership.”