Ranking each club's goal-kicking stocks for 2023

Turning four points into six is frequently the difference between victory and defeat with some clubs having the luxury of a reliable sharpshooter while others struggle and ultimately their team does too. 

Six of the eight clubs that played finals footy had a success rate of over 75 percent with their goal-kicking in 2022 in a figure deemed par with Melbourne and Cronulla (both 71%) not as effective.

Newcastle were the biggest strugglers with a 61% success rate last season but have the services of Jackson Hastings this year, who should help that number rise. 

Newcomers the Dolphins appear well-equipped in their first season with Jamayne Isaako a renowned goal-kicker who kicks at over 80 percent. 

1. Penrith Panthers (2022 success rate: 83%)

• Nathan Cleary - 84.1% (career average)
• Stephen Crichton - 76.8%
• Kurt Falls - 70%

Is there any other goal-kicker in the game you could depend on to save your life with a conversion than Nathan Cleary? His remarkable career average suggests there isn't with his past two season's efforts sitting at a remarkable 85.4%. The Panthers have a suitable back-up to Cleary with Stephen Crichton in the side for another 12 months while Jarome Luai and Kurt Falls are also options at the club.

2. Brisbane Broncos (82%)

• Adam Reynolds - 82.4%
• Reece Walsh - 75.8%
• Kotoni Staggs - 75%
• Jock Madden - 80% 

One of the best sharpshooters in the game who is nearing his 1000th goal in the NRL, Adam Reynolds has kept the Broncos at the top in terms of best goal-kicking clubs after slotting 61 from 72 attempts (84.7%) last year.

The back-up of Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and arrival of Jock Madden, who is unlikely to play a big role at the Broncos unless injuries strike, ensure the club has depth in this area.

3. North Queensland Cowboys (81%)

• Valentine Holmes - 76.8%
• Scott Drinkwater - 75%
• Chad Townsend - 69.7%

Don't let these career figures fool you, the Cowboys turned four points into six just as well as the Panthers and Broncos in 2022 with Valentine Holmes' improvement with the boot since returning from the NFL a sight every league fan loves to see. Holmes kicked at 82% last season when slotting 100 goals. Equally as impressive were his sideline conversions. 

4. Canberra Raiders - 78%

• Jarrod Croker - 80.7%
• Jamal Fogarty - 76.6%
• Jordan Rapana - 69.6%
• Brad Schneider - 79.3%

Always thereabouts in the ranking order given Jarrod Croker's percentage, the Raiders have been forced to go through life without their skipper for the past 18 months due to injuries but still managed to kick at 78 percent last year. That figure is higher than Jamal Fogarty's career average, with the halfback set to take on goal-kicking duties again in 2023 should Croker not make the final 17.

5. Parramatta Eels - 78%

• Mitchell Moses - 76.8%
• Clint Gutherson - 70.5%

Mitchell Moses kicked more goals in his career last season than any other with his 78.5% figure bringing the Eels up to acceptable territory. The Eels kicked 103 goals, third most in the competition and with Moses and skipper Clint Gutherson in the team they should be able to continue an upward trajectory.

6. South Sydney Rabbitohs - 78%

• Latrell Mitchell - 74.6%
• Blake Taaffe - 76.6%

The departure of Adam Reynolds in 2022 naturally saw South Sydney's accuracy with goal kicks come down, although Latrell Mitchell kicked above his career average at 78.2% when he returned from the USA to ensure the Bunnies didn't slide too far. Mitchell will be key again with the boot in 2023 while Blake Taaffe, who is tipped to be the bench utility this season, can also slot goals if required.

7. Warriors - 78%

• Shaun Johnson - 75.7%
• Mitch Barnett - 76.2%

Once ranked the lowest with poor goal-kicking efforts, the Warriors were on par with several finals teams with conversions last season but scored fewer tries in a contributing factor. Nevertheless, Shaun Johnson will again hold the key with the boot while new recruit Mitch Barnett has some experience from his 16 successful goals at the Knights.

8. Dolphins - 77.8%

• Jamayne Isaako - 80.3%
• Kodi Nikorima - 75.2%

Former Titan and Bronco Jamayne Isaako will be the club's first-choice goal-kicker and with an 80.3% success rate in his career, it's one less thing the Dolphins will have to worry about in their inaugural season. The squad has a fair bit of depth with Kodi Nikorima, Sean O'Sullivan and Anthony Milford all capable of kicking goals if required.

9. St George Illawarra Dragons - 77%

• Zac Lomax - 78.3%
• Jack Bird - 70%
• Moses Mbye - 68.6%

The ever-consistent Zac Lomax, who has kicked between 77-78% for the past four seasons, ensures the Dragons have a notable goal-kicker who can convert from both sides of the field. The side's depth is a bit of a concern with Jack Bird the next best option.

10. Sydney Roosters - 75%

• Sam Walker - 71.25%
• Paul Momirovski - 72.7%

Sam Walker's goal-kicking career at the Roosters started shakily in 2021 (53.5%) but he's hit back with a bang to be one of the most improved sharpshooter's in the game elevate the Tricolours back to a pass mark with turning four points into six. Walker's 77.8% strike rate in 2022 ranked well with some of the best kickers in the game while Paul Momirovski is the back-up option at the club if he's in their 17.

11. Manly Sea Eagles - 75%

• Reuben Garrick - 77.2%
• Daly Cherry-Evans - 71.9%

Reuben Garrick will resume goal-kicking duties at the Sea Eagles after producing below his career average last year. Garrick showed he was one of the best sharpshooters in the game in 2021, kicking at 81.8% in a record-breaking season and will want to get back to those numbers to help Manly back in the finals.

12. Gold Coast Titans - 73%

• Tanah Boyd - 82.1%
• Toby Sexton - 69.5%

An 82% success rate from 28 attempts at goal late last season has Tanah Boyd primed to become the Titans' next best goal-kicker after Jamayne Isaako's departure to the Dolphins. Given Boyd has beaten Toby Sexton to the playmaker role alongside Kieran Foran, it will be the 22-year-old who will need to step up for the Titans. It's an area Justin Holbrook will want to improve given there's not a whole lot of options in the squad, especially if Sexton misses the final 17.

13. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - 72%

• Kyle Flanagan - 77.2%
• Matt Burton - 73.7%

An interesting area to watch for the Bulldogs this year after the 2022 season saw Matt Burton take most of the goal-kicking duties while Kyle Flanagan chimed in with five goals in 20 games. Flanagan's record is better than Burton's in their short careers to date while Paul Alamoti is also capable should he be chosen in Canterbury's backline. Either way, the Bulldogs have struggled to score points in previous seasons so going up by six must be a priority to get back into the finals fold.

14. Cronulla Sharks - 71%

• Nicho Hynes - 75.1%
• Braydon Trindall - 75%

Cronulla ranked lower than all top four teams for goal-kicking last season with Nicho Hynes kicking at 74% for the season. Hynes had 112 attempts at goal, more compared to other players in the competition, but will want to improve on his efforts in 2023. Braydon Trindall will be a back-up option if he can jag a spot on the bench.

15. Melbourne Storm - 71%

• Nick Meaney - 71%
• Ryan Papenhuyzen - 79.3%
• Cameron Munster - 57.7%

For a club as successful as the Storm have been in the past, the retirement of Cameron Smith left a hole in the goal-kicking department and last season the side suffered most. Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked at an impressive 86% in 2021 to ensure no immediate hangover from Smith's departure but his knee injury has now cast doubt over his short-term playing future. Nick Meaney kicked at 70% in Papenhuyzen's absence last year and will want to see that success rate rise given he's likely to take on the full-time duties in the early rounds of the season.

16. Wests Tigers - 67%

• Adam Doueihi - 74%
• Luke Brooks - 66.7%

Wests Tigers ranked 15th in 2022 for goal-kicking and it was more concerning given they scored the least amount of tries with 63. The departure of Jackson Hastings means a lot of the goal-kicking duties will come down to Adam Doueihi, who slotted at 75.3% returning from a knee injury.

17. Newcastle Knights - 61%

• Jackson Hastings - 78%
• Kalyn Ponga - 73%

An area the Knights must get better at and should with the signing of Jackson Hastings, who has an NRL goal-kicking average of 78% and took on the role during the club's Pre-season Challenge match against Cronulla. Kalyn Ponga kicked above 82% in 2019 but dropped to 65% the following year and hasn't taken on the duties full-time since. He will be a handy back-up for Hastings in 2023.