Three seconds to go and Daly Cherry-Evans sinks any chance of a Newcastle Knights’ upset with an unbelievable field goal on Monday night.
Matt Ballin passed it out of dummy half when the clock read 79.55, and Cherry-Evans’ boot struck the ball at 79.57. By 80.00, it was all over, 15-14 to the Manly Sea Eagles.
At 36 metres out and right in front of the post, he took one step and struck an amazing field goal that sailed through the sticks and well into the crowd.
Everybody watching the game was on the edge of their seat, and the moment was exemplified when the Fox Sports commentator screamed “you are kidding!”
The incredible strike, combined with the gripping context of the game, combines into one of the better field goals in recent memory.
But where does a strike like this rank in the history of field goals, in terms of context and the actual strike combined?
Some of the greats in recent history include Cooper Cronk’s epic 40-metre field goal in Game 3 of the 2012 State of Origin, sinking the Blues’ chances for the seventh year in a row.
Another few that come to mind include Shaun Timmins’ 2004 State of Origin Game 1 field goal, a game where NSW won 9-8, and who could forget Brett Finch’s strike just two years later in State of Origin Game 1?
Darren Lockyer’s grand-final-winning field goal against the Storm in 2006 would definitely make the list. Craig Bellamy stated in his autobiography that as soon as the ball went to Lockyer, he didn’t even have to watch because he knew the ball was going over the black dot.
Still on Darren Lockyer, his messy field goal in the 2011 semi final against St George wouldn’t be considered a great field goal in terms of the strike. However, it was a semi-final, it was golden point, Lockyer had a broken cheekbone, and it ended up being the last piece of play the living legend ever did for the Brisbane Broncos.
In terms of club football in the home-and-away season, who could forget Nathan Merritt’s field goal from next to the sideline at the SCG against the Tigers with four seconds to go to win the game 23-22 for the Rabbitohs?
Or Benji Marshall’s 50-metre strike against the Titans? Let’s not forget Chris Sandow’s 49-metre golden point field goal to beat the Roosters, both in 2011.
Jamie Soward’s field goal in the 2010 preliminary final to break a 12-all deadlock will always be remembered, it ultimately booked the Dragons a spot in the grand final.
Perhaps the greatest field goal of all time however, is Braith Anasta’s famous field goal in the 2010 epic 100-minute semi-final between the Roosters and the Tigers. The Roosters, trailing 15-14 with literally one second to go, gave the ball to Anasta, who calmly slotted it from 30 metres out to take the game into golden point, which the Roosters ultimately won.
When you add together the context of the game, plus the strike of the ball, there have been some fairly incredible field goals in the NRL’s 17-year history.
Where does Daly Cherry-Evans’ field goal rate with these? Can you name some others?
Ronald
Guest
Okay superstar, put yourself in that same situation - under pressure, with three seconds to go and off one step. See how many you land out of ten and then you might be able to have yourself an opinion. If it wasn't such a difficult skill, then players would be landing field goals left, right and centre in situations like that, and I can tell you now, in most contests that are separated by a field goal, both teams have numerous shots at field goal prior to actually landing one. The same goes for goal kicking - just because they are "professional", does not make it difficult. The beauty of professional sport is that athletes of the caliber such as Daly Cherry-Evans or Cooper Cronk make things such as drop goals look so easy, where in fact, it really isn't. So don't try and contradict this article by saying that "it shouldn't be a difficult skill for a professional player" - lets see how many field goals we have like that throughout this season, and if so, look at the likes of the players who actually achieve it...it will more than likely be someone of the quality of DCE, or if not, the man himself.
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
I agree
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
That's just crazy. Like it went over the posts! hahaha
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
When Polly kicked that, I did a lap of Wests Leagues club Ashfield (I had Grand Final tickets already) screaming at the top of my lungs "the Bulldogs are in the grand final", then I got back to my seat happy as larry only to be told it went under the bar.
KB
Guest
Womaaaanly!!!!!
ozinsa
Guest
Given you can simply pass the ball from dummy half behind a stagnant play the ball, I'm inclined to agree with Rabbitz's comments that it's a skill players should practice and have down pat. Lobbing one over in the wet from a not stagnant maul/ruck in your own half to win a RWC semi-final - now that's amazing.
Fil
Guest
Yeah. Of course. Refs with manly. Give yourself an uppercut and then a wedgie. 6-0 at half time and not a single second half penalty to manly. So how did refs get them those 15 points in the second half? They made kurt gidley miss that penalty goal from in front?
Dashman
Guest
What about Andrew Willis strike when the Fibros beat the Bears back in 96. Was about 48 metres from memory.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It will be forgot about pretty quickly as it was a pretty poor game all things taken into consideration. Makes better fish and chip paper really.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
I disagree entirely
Messerschmidt
Guest
Good field goal under pressure but the ref kept Manly in it when Newcastle led 6-0 in the first half - Every decision went the home teams way so manly were still in it at half time.
Jimbo Jones
Guest
I cant access youtube, but Im hoping this is the Steyn effort in France
Step and Compress
Guest
Terry Lamb. Belmore Oval. Siren looming. Bulldogs behind 10-12. Field goal. Idiot.
Haz
Roar Rookie
Exactly. We only give up when we're ahead by 20 at halftime.
john badseed
Guest
Rates right up there with any other field goal kicked at the death or in golden point. The point being, Manly, like the Canetoads, won't give up 'til the fat lady sings, so always a chance to bite back.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Ah Touché Sir
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Matt Dunnings in the other code
seajay23
Guest
Agree with you there, the first 79 minutes and 57 seconds were a nightmare for Manly fans. Toovey has some work to do, the forwards can't seem to make linebreak.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
My fav is one by Tony Melrose for Easts vs Penrith 1987 . 30+ out, angle, with three guys all over him.
Nordburg
Guest
Its amazing how a field goal to win a match in the final second can cover up a very poor game.Whilst many will say Manly got out of jail,which they did,but how Newcastle didnt win that game by 30 is the big question.DCE had a below par game in my opinion,leaving all the play making duties to Littlejohn,who to be fair is not quite first grade standard yet.I think DCE is definitely playing injured with that calf.Origin time will be interesting for him -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.