The numbers that say Cleary is about to put the boot into Queensland
NSW coach Laurie Daley is set to entrust Cleary with the kicking duties in the interstate series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, despite the claims of Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses, Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell.
Lomax, Crichton, Moses and Mitchell are strong goal-kickers in their own right, but Cleary is known as the 'Iceman' for a reason, and the numbers lend weight to the theory that his accuracy from the tee is still improving.
Having kicked 638 goals at a strike rate of 83.9 per cent over the first nine seasons of his NRL career, the 27-year-old has landed 34 of 37 attempts for the Panthers this year, at 91.89 per cent.
That's the highest percentage of his career and a number Halligan - who coaches Cleary and a select group of kickers across the NRL - regards as above and beyond mere mortals.
'The stats will tell you that back around the late '90s or early 2000s, two [goals] out of three, 66 or 67 per cent, that was maybe an acceptable pass mark,' Halligan said.
'These days, if you're not kicking at 80 per cent, you might as well be looking over your shoulder.
'I think if you spoke to most people in the NRL, they're aiming for 80 per cent. There's not too many who can get it up to 90 per cent over a whole season.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
9 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Sam Backo dies aged 64, Maroons, Raiders legend
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sam Backo – a larger-than-life front-rower who represented Queensland and Australia in the 1980s – has died. Backo, 64, had been in intensive care at Cairns Hospital after being diagnosed with melioidosis – a bacterial infection – in April. Recent media reports stated Backo may have contracted the soil-borne tropical disease while swimming in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns. Backo had been transferred to a Brisbane hospital but returned to Cairns where he passed on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends. 'Sam was a wonderful player and a wonderful man. He was immensely powerful and a real character. He will be sadly missed,' said Raiders coach and ex-teammate Ricky Stuart. Nicknamed Slammin' Sam, Backo played 114 games for Canberra between 1983 and 1988 before playing a further 20 games for Brisbane in 1989 and 1990. A renowned character, Backo played seven State of Origin games for Queensland and six Tests for Australia. He also represented a Rest of World team in 1988. Sam Backo has died aged 64. Sam Backo played 114 games for the Raiders. Remarkably, Backo scored tries all three Tests against Great Britain in 1988 and also claimed two man-of-the-match honours for Queensland. Former Raiders teammate Brent Todd posted an emotional message to Facebook, writing: 'Goodbye my dear friend, may you now rest in peace. 'During our time at the Raiders we became bloody great mates. I'm going to miss you, Sammy.' Ex-Maroons teammate Martin Bella posted a photo of himself, Backo and the late Peter Jackson after a State of Origin win. 'Late man standing. The years are cruel,' Bella wrote. Canberra Raiders also paid tribute, posting: 'VALE Canberra Raiders great Sam Backo. #Raider43. Our condolences to his family and friends.' Backo enjoyed a stint with Leeds in England in 1988. Leeds Rhinos took to social media to post: 'Deeply sad news in Australia that '80s fan favourite, Slammin' Sam Backo has passed away aged 64.' Known as a gentle giant, Backo, who suffered a heart attack in 2023, watched the recent State of Origin decider from his hospital bed. At the time of his heart attack, former teammate and Immortal Wally Lewis said: 'He was such a dominant prop. 'When he came on, Sam just destroyed everyone that was in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it. 'That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time.' At the time, Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister added: 'They talk about big blokes these days with footwork but Sam was one of the first that was god on his feet for a big man.' Backo, who started his top-level footy career with Brisbane club Fortitude Valley, was known for his work in indigenous health. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to rugby league in Australia.
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Australian rugby league legend Sam Backo dies aged 64
Queensland rugby league legend Sam Backo has died aged 64. The Maroons and Australian Kangaroos champion passed away surrounded by family at Cairns Hospital on Sunday. Backo had been in intensive care for some time, having been diagnosed with melioidosis in April. Melioidosis is a bacterial infection commonly found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions, and has killed 35 people in Queensland alone so far this year. The former Broncos and Raiders front-rower, who also had a stint with Leeds in England, had been transferred to a hospital in Brisbane for a period before later returning to Cairns. The man affectionately known as Slammin' Sam spent most of his NRL career in Canberra, where he played 114 games between 1983 and 1988, before adding another 20 when he moved to Brisbane in 1989. Backo played 18 games for Leeds in the 1988-1989 UK season, inbetween NRL campaigns. He was without doubt one of rugby league's toughest ever players, but was also renowned as one of the sport's great characters. Backo suited up in seven State of Origin games for Queensland and played six Tests for Australia. Most notable in his international career was his series against England in 1988 when he scored a try in all three games. Backo suffered a heart attack in 2023, after which he was in a critical condition, but survived. He was a proud Indigenous man who was also known for his work in Indigenous health.
News.com.au
12 hours ago
- News.com.au
Queensland Maroons, Canbera Raiders legend Sam Backo dies aged 64
Sam Backo – a larger-than-life front-rower who represented Queensland and Australia in the 1980s – has died. Backo, 64, had been in intensive care at Cairns Hospital after being diagnosed with melioidosis - a bacterial infection - in April. Recent media reports stated Backo may have contracted the soil-borne tropical disease while swimming in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns. Backo had been transferred to a Brisbane hospital but returned to Cairns where he passed on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends. Nicknamed Slammin' Sam, Backo played 114 games for Canberra between 1983 and 1988 before playing a further 20 games for Brisbane in 1989 and 1990. He then had a stint with Leeds in England. A renowned character, Backo played seven State of Origin games for Queensland and six Tests for Australia. He also represented a Rest of World team in 1988. Known as a gentle giant, Backo, who suffered a heart attack in 2023, watched the recent State of Origin decider from his hospital bed. At the time of his heart attack, former teammate and Immortal Wally Lewis said: 'He was such a dominant prop. 'When he came on, Sam just destroyed everyone that was in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it. 'That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time.' At the time, Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister added: 'They talk about big blokes these days with footwork but Sam was one of the first that was god on his feet for a big man.' Backo was known for his work in indigenous health.
