51 years ago a South Sydney star forced the game to do away with the two-point field goal, so it was fitting that Adam Reynolds kicked the first one of the new era.
Reynolds on Thursday night nailed a 43-metre drop goal in Souths’ 35-6 win over Brisbane, becoming the first man to score a long-range double-pointer this year.
But it was far from the first two-point field goal in rugby league.
Until 1970 field goals had always been worth two points, before the introduction of limited tackles made them a far too popular option.
Indigenous Souths fullback Eric Simms kicked 68 of them between 1968 and 1970 alone, including the last two-point play in the 1970 grand final win over Manly.
The avalanche of drop goals forced the NSWRL to change the value of the play to one point, before Peter V’landys made the shift to two for kicks outside the 40-metre line this year.
Reynolds had been one of the biggest supporters of the move in a pre-season AAP poll, where more than half of the NRL’s kickers didn’t see the play being used.
At the time Reynolds even joked that they should be worth four points from outside 50, despite the strike rate of those kicked from beyond 40 metres being just four per cent across the NRL.
He began training for long-range attempts from the start of the summer, certain they could become a serious option to swing the momentum of matches.
“I just think it’s an opportunity to grab some easy points,” Reynolds said after Thursday’s two-pointer.
“The timing was right. I think there was less than a minute on the clock, so if you miss and kick it dead, they’re not going to get the full seven tackles anyway.
“You’ve just got to try and be smart about it and get in good field position.”
Reynolds’ successful shot sparked the biggest celebration of the night, in a sign of how valued the off-contract star is by Rabbitohs teammates.
But he’s not the only one at Redfern who can boot them from afar.
Latrell Mitchell is another long-shooter, with Reynolds revealing the pair have a kick-off before games to determine who gets the shot if the team is in position.
“He’s got a big boot on him. He could probably travel 50, if it comes to the crunch. He hits the ball so sweet,” Reynolds said.
“We had a hit each in the warm-up. I nailed one and he missed so I said I’m taking it tonight.
“The rest is history…Sucked in to Latrell.”
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The much maligned rule might be of more interest if the Bunnies are behind by 2 points with 30 seconds left. Position Reynolds and Mitchell 40 metres out and kick it backwards to them from 10 metres out. It's a sure thing and will add spice to the game.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
''Deceptive pace, he's a lot slower than he looks'' , is one we don't hear enough of. Maybe a Mossopism?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
He probably could have peeled a prawn while kicking a field goal.
Crow
Roar Pro
Yes Adam Reynolds orchestrated a fantastic win and his history making field goal was sensational. I thought he really put himself in the best position to ink a new deal for more than one year but if not he will certainly have rival clubs circling.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah I did know that. I am just being a curmudgeon. When did ' ' gee he's quick off the mark" become ' gee he's got great leg speed'. The first is clear and concise and has no ambiguity. The second , nah.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :thumbup: Simms use to do it easy, just give him a prawn ohh the ball and he use to peel the she’ll posts and as Frank Hyde use to say ‘straight between the post’s’ and Frank said that allot about Simms’s kicks :thumbup:
Emcie
Roar Guru
Must be a euphemism
Emcie
Roar Guru
It's not fast and slow, it's acceleration vs top speed. It's quick enough to exploit a small gap vs no one being able to catch you in open space
kk
Roar Pro
Like most Aussies I read media reports and viewed events on TV but do not recall specific content,DP.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Who swings their leg while peeling prawns?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Also being close to the ground helps timing and momentum. I was never very big or tall but could drop kick 50 - 60m at 16. Timing has a huge part to play. Speak to a physics master for more info, I don't know why.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
If I was a better one I would have written something about the ghosts of Simms and his bunny buddies blowing that ball through the posts last night.. (but that would have had some plagiarism content – if you ever read the media stories around the Australia II America Cup win)
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I finally realised the difference btw speed and leg speed while watching Reynolds run. He has huge leg speed but he's not very fast. Still not sure why we don't just have fast and slow but there you go.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
If we offer him , crazy, crazy money then by definition we are crazy ,crazy.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Reynolds wont save NQ and it will be a pity for him to go there and be wasted in the twilight of his career, let's hope the Bunnies do the right thing irrespective of anything!
kk
Roar Pro
You are an artist DP.
kk
Roar Pro
My sons are beside themselves with the thought of losing Adam.
kk
Roar Pro
Agree. Sadly, his playing days may be over.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Most people do ouch...