Folly to underestimate the
Retirements of Thurston and Smith leave Maroons minus a sharp-shooter.
GOAL kicking is the most neglected aspect of commentary on rugby league, particularly State of Origin matches.
Perhaps it began with the decision to upgrade the value of tries to four points, while leaving goals at two points, but it’s rare to read or hear how poor goal kicking cost a team a match, unless it was a miss from near in front.
The commentary on Daly Cherry-Evans’ missed conversion against the Roosters in the early exchanges focused on his dismissive reaction as the kick sailed wide, rather than the lost opportunity of sending the game to golden point as Manly ultimately went down by two points.
Billy Slater, Queensland’s expected fullback for the upcoming State of Origin series, is quoted as saying he expects GETTY IMAGES the Maroons selectors will choose the best players and then find a goal kicker.
However, goal kicking has been in the forefront of Brad Fittler’s mind since the day he was appointedNSW coach.
Freddy cast his thoughts back to the second match last year when Queensland won in the final four minutes, meaning NSW were lambs to the slaughter for the decider in Brisbane.
NSW five-eighth James Maloney missed a kick from the left and later, with the scores level, his Maroons opposite number, Johnathan Thurston, kicked one from the right to win the match.
According to Champion Data,