Goal kicks or conversions in the world of Rugby League can make or break a game.
A successful goal kicker can bring the match to a deadlock and give their team the chance to win in a golden-point extra-time thriller, or win the game when a late try ties the score and the two points from the goal kick decides the game.
But all NRL fans know that things don’t always go to plan and even the most accurate goal kickers can miss those seemingly certain attempts.
How can a player boot the ball from over 60 metres out in a stunning sideline conversion with the sun beating down in their eyes but miss a kick from right in front of the sticks?
All the team at NRLleague.com.au know is that as devastating as missing the goal kick can be for the teams and the players at the time, looking back at these wayward kicks provides some of the funniest NRL moments of all time!
Whether they ran the length of the field seconds before and are out of breath, the taunts from the crowd get the better of them or they are just too cocky for their own good, for whatever reason there have been plenty of hilarious goal kicks that don’t go where they are supposed to.
Below we have listed our 10 favourite missed NRL conversions and provide videos for some of the worst goal kicks you will ever see.
Help us rate the goal kicks by leaving a comment below telling us which is your favourite.
If you love this page check out our Top 10 NRL Tries.
Where: Parramatta Stadium
When: 2010, Round 24, Eels v Tigers
What Went Wrong: One of the worst chokes in the 2010 NRL season. There are just minutes left on the clock and trailing by two the Eels receive a penalty that Burt takes from right in front that would tie the score 20 all. One of the most accurate goal kickers in the comp, Burt has a brain freeze and misses! The Eels go down by two and were ruled out of the finals for the year.
Where: Brookvale Oval
When: 2009, Round 2, Sea Eagles v Warriors
What Went Wrong: Fair enough this one was from the sideline but after Orford, who won the Dally M Medal the previous year, hits the ball from the side of the boot this one go so far out that even the commentators have to hold back a chuckle. If he had made the conversion it would have tied the score and believe it or not, Manly went on to lose by two points! This one was nominated for the 2009 Covell Award.
Where: Wade Park
When: 2009, May 8, City v Country Origin Match
What Went Wrong: Another 2009 Covell Award nominee was this shocker from Peter Wallace. If successful this kick would have brought the game to a deadlock and after the commentators talk about what an honour Wallace has of attempting the conversion he sends it WAY off into the crowd!
Where: Suncorp Stadium
When: 2006 Tri Nations Series Tournament 4 – Australia v New Zealand
What Went Wrong: So Australia were already going to win by a mile but this kick from the sidelines, the last in the series, isn’t so funny because JT misses, but it’s the crowd’s reaction that got us going. Everyone thought it was going to go through, just listen and laugh!
Where: Belmore Oval
When: 1989
What Went Wrong: An oldie but a goodie. Longbottom, one of South Sydney’s stars at the time, was a great goal kicker who booted many through the sticks but the mud got the better of him in this one. The ball barely got high enough to miss the top of the grass. Don’t look up high or you’ll miss it!
The next five are all in one hilarious video. Watch the footage then read on for why we love them!
Who: Joel Caine
When: 2000
What Went Wrong: The leading point scorer for the 2000 season, Caine stuffs up a goal kick so bad that he nearly knocked his foot off when he his boot hit more of the ground than the ball!
Who: Laurie Daley
Where: Lang Park
When: 1989, Game 1 State of Origin, 23 May – Queensland v New South Wales
What Went Wrong: Daley was making his Origin debut and was given the goal kicking duties. This one he misses from right in front after hooking the ball off to the side! The pressure of the Origin arena got the better of him here.
Who: Shaun Timmins
Where: North Sydney Oval
When: 1997, Round 4, 29 March – North Sydney Bears v Illawarra Steelers
What Went Wrong: This kick was to win the match with the teams tied 18 all, Timmins has his first goal attempt of the match. From right beside the uprights he misses and check out the look of shock in his face – we couldn’t believe it either Shaun don’t worry! The best part, watch closely, is one touch judge puts his flag up thinking there’s no way it wouldn’t go through!
Who: Brett Kimmorley
What Went Wrong: Nobody, not even Noddy himself, can tell us where he was aiming this one for! From the side he kicks the ball straight across the 20m line, luckily he improved from here!
Who: Colin Scott
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground
When: 1987 State of Origin Game 2, 11 June – Queensland v New South Wales
What Went Wrong: Another great State of Origin choke, Scott kicks this one and it only goes about three feet in the air! The score was 8 – 6 in favour of Queensland, who still went on to win when Scott made up for his woeful conversion attempt by scoring in the corner off a Walley Lewis pass.
Punting on NRL Kicks
Footy fans that want to take their love of the game a step further by enjoying a punt on the NRL have an unbeatable range of NRL bet types available thanks to online bookies such as SportsBet and IASbet.
Aside from the head-to-head wagers where you bet one team will beat the other, there are heaps of top odds on other outcomes in the game that will have you on the edge of your seat all match and potentially winning money throughout the game.
Bet types that relate to NRL kicks include:
- Betting on the game to be won by two points (a successful conversion)
- Tipping that there will or won’t be a field goal
- Putting your money down that there will or won’t be a 40/20 kick
These exotic Rugby League bet types available online pay great odds and the perfect option for punters that know their player and match statistics!
