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When it comes to goal-kicking in rugby league, one fan’s dream is another fan’s nightmare. So here’s a selection to help rekindle moments of triumphant jubilation or perhaps burst open the gates to a flood of turf-pounding tears.
Michael O’Connor, NSW v Queensland at Sydney Football Stadium, Game 2, 1991
This State of Origin classic is best remembered for Mark Geyer’s vein-popping verbal stoush with Wally Lewis after the young Panther set about destroying everything Maroon.
In a climactic finish the Blues’ hopes rested on the right boot of Michael O’Connor after a late Mark McGaw try levelled the scores.
In torrential rain on a waterlogged pitch fit for pigs, the rugby union convert’s mesmerising sideline strike rotated like a helicopter blade from well outside the right post to level the series.
Hazem El Masri, Canterbury v Cronulla at Toyota Park, Round 19, 2004
Canterbury may have won 37-26 but the outcome was nothing compared to the gale force winds that saw the giant screen packed up and the corner posts removed before Hazem El Masri’s 20-point freak show.
The most bizarre goal followed preparations comparable to those accompanying a snooker trick shot. With Corey Hughes’ steadying influence, the ball was teed-up oblique to the target before it swung violently off El Masri’s boot into the path of the howling breeze and a route over the black dot.
Corey Parker, Brisbane v Wigan at DW Stadium, World Club Series, 2015
Wigan coach Shaun Wane labelled Anthony Gelling a weirdo but that was after Corey Parker struck first – labelling him with a Steeden from point blank range.
It was a penalty kick from in front that should have secured a Broncos golden-point victory; instead it’s one we know very little about after Gelling’s brainless smother. Take-two followed the script but was largely ignored by the home crowd who rose to the Wigan centre’s self-applause on his amusing march to the sin-bin.
Daryl Halligan, Canterbury v Parramatta at Sydney Football Stadium, preliminary final, 1998
Daryl Halligan’s rare off day with the boot in 1991 cost North Sydney a grand final appearance but fortune favoured the Bulldogs from the same position seven years later when the Kiwi winger delivered in a whirlwind comeback that still haunts Eels fans.
Canterbury’s three tries in the closing 11 minutes would’ve amounted to nothing without Halligan’s match-levelling sideline conversion. The ball tracked left for most of its journey then suddenly dipped inside the upright at the last moment fuelling extra-time mayhem, from which the Bulldogs surged again winning 32-20.
Michael Witt, Auckland v Canberra at Mt Smart Stadium, Round 8, 2008
Not many sharp shooters have kicked a divot further than the ball. Michael Witt did, and hobbled away for six weeks to tell the story. With victory already assured, the journeyman lined up a penalty before comically tearing his quadriceps while scouring an excavation only a plumber could envy.
Ken Irvine, Australia v Great Britain at Sydney Cricket Ground, third Test, 1962
It was the swinging Sixties where everyone was open and honest including referee Darcy Lawler, who advised part-time kicker Ken Irvine to straighten the ball on the mound – which he did, before raising the flags to register a last gasp one-point Australian victory.
Bill Peden, Newcastle v Northern Eagles at North Power Stadium, Round 14, 2001
Bill Peden adequately filled the kicking boots of an injured Andrew Johns for the best part of 80 minutes and looked set to earn the Knights a draw with the final kick of the night.
In a cruel twist of fate, the diehard Novocastrian’s shot from close range did everything but split the two competition points as it pinballed off all three components of the framework before agonisingly dropping back into the field of play.
Pat Richards, Wests Tigers v Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, Round 8, 2015
No one in their right mind would consider bothering the touch judges 55 metres from goal. That explains why Pat Richards’ time on the sideline nursing a split head in the minutes leading up to this thunderous thump proved pivotal.
Nathan Hindmarsh, Parramatta v St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, Round 26, 2012
On the long list of token farewell kicks, Hindy’s effort tops the lot. A penalty after the final siren provided the 330-game veteran centre stage and he didn’t disappoint.
Despite trailing by 23 points the cheeky back-rower called for the tee and promptly mimicked Jamie Soward’s complex routine including painful squint and poncey prance on the way to kicking his maiden NRL goal. Post-match, he lamented, “Can kick’em, just never get the opportunities.”
This list is by no means complete, Roarers. It’s time to tee off – what other freak shots deserve to be recovered from the vault?
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