The NRL features a large number of excellent goal kickers, many with the ability to slot the ball through the posts time after time. Selecting 10 ten best kickers from all those available was not easy, however these are the 10 best goal kickers he NRL has on offer.
Shaun Johnson is one of the most important players the Warriors have and his goal kicking contributes to that fact. Johnson has kicked hundreds of goals for the Warriors and has typically kept his accuracy over 75%.
Jamayne Isaako stepped in to take over goal kicking duties from the injured Jordan Kahu when the Broncos star was injured. Isaako has been impressive, kicking close to 85% in 2018, and pushing for the role of first choice goal kickers for Brisbane.
Despite only making his debut this year, Rhyse Martin’s goal kicking has impressed many NRL fans. With an average higher than 90% for his goal kicking Martin is showing that he could be one of the best if he continues kicking the same way in future years.
Nathan Cleary is another young star that has shown he is an excellent goal kicker. Early in the season, Cleary was even being selected as the first choice goal kicker over James Maloney; with a 93% kicking accuracy and more than 150 goals in his career it is easy to see why.
While not the most reliable kicker in the NRL, Cameron Smith has been the Storm’s first choice goal kicker for a long time. Smith has kicked over 1000 goals at NRL level and has converted tries for both Queensland and Australia, to add to an already outstanding career.
While many will have expected Johnathan Thurston to be higher on the list the champion player has been down on his best in 2018. However as one of the best goal kickers of all time, he deserves to be in the upper half of the list. Thurston has been an excellent kicker for the Cowboys, Queensland and Australia and has kicked many tough, high-pressure goals.
Gareth Widdop currently leads the NRL for most goals kicked in 2018 and the Dragons captain has been brilliant off the tee this season. His 82% kicking accuracy has helped his side remain in the top few clubs for the majority of the season.
While Adam Reynolds 74% kicking accuracy for the year is down on his typical brilliance, it would be tough not to put him in the top 3. Reynolds has already kicked more than 500 goals in his career, cementing his place as one of the best sharpshooters in the competition.
A season ending injury to Raider’s captain Jarrod Croker damages the side in many ways including their goal kicking. Croker has been the goal kicker for the Raiders for a long time and has amassed over 600 goals for the club, in a career that has featured many excellent shots at goal.
The New South Wales and Panthers goal kicker James Maloney has been a consistent and reliable goal kicker for whoever he plays for. Maloney has kicked nearly 800 goals at NRL level, over 20 for New South Wales and 11 for Australia, even with limited opportunities. Maloney is kicked at almost 87% in 2018 and his goal kicking has been hugely important for the Panthers and the Blues.