The numbers that say Cleary is about to put the boot into Queensland
Rugby league's leading goal-kicking coach, Daryl Halligan, has backed Nathan Cleary to cement his 'Iceman' reputation during the State of Origin series, as statistics reveal the Penrith star has never been in better form with the boot.
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.'
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Since then, he hasn't missed a game for the champions, stringing together 11 appearances, culminating in a career-best performance in Penrith's 18-14 win against Wests Tigers last week. Jenkins scored a hat-trick of tries, made five line-breaks, 12 tackle-breaks and carried the ball 253 metres in attack. Just when he thought life could not get much better, he was called into the NSW squad this week as a development/shadow player to help the Blues prepare for Origin II in Perth on Wednesday. 'Oh, I think we've just enjoyed his enthusiasm,' NSW coach Daley Laurie said, explaining the decision to invite Jenkins into camp. 'He seems like he's gotten better and better ... he was a guy that we sort of had down the middle of last week that we wanted to bring him into camp, and to see him play the way he did [against the Tigers], yeah, it was tremendous. 'So to come from where he has and just to come up here for a couple of days and mingle in around the squad, I think it's a great opportunity for him.' Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the 'humility' Jenkins showed during the pre-season convinced him he was worth another chance. 'He went down to Massey and did his time, trained hard - in our afternoon squad, as well,' Cleary said. 'And then when he got a chance in [NSW] Cup, he was too good for Cup as well. So he just did everything we asked, and he's still doing it.' Whatever he achieves this season and beyond, Jenkins said he will always be grateful to St Mary's. 'I was so happy to go back there and play for them,' he said. 'They're such a good club. I knew I'd enjoy my footy there. I've got a lot of mates there, and that's what it was about. 'It was about enjoying footy. It wasn't about how high I was playing or what I was doing. It was about enjoying it. But yeah, things have worked out, and I ended up enjoying it here.' Jenkins' train-and-trial deal has since been upgraded into a full-time contract until the end of next season. 'The goal was always to come and play in NRL, but like I said, it was about coming back and enjoying my footy,' he said. Loading 'I feel like at St Mary's, it was a step in the right direction. 'I knew a pathway back to the Panthers was there. Nothing was promised, nothing was guaranteed, but I was happy to take that chance. I wake up every day feeling blessed, being grateful. I'm lucky for the position I'm in and the things that have fallen my way. 'I do pinch myself. I find myself lucky, but in saying that, like I said, I've got to keep my feet on ground and take it week by week. 'Like I said, nothing's guaranteed. There's so many good players that are coming up underneath, so I can't take my position for granted. 'Nothing's secure ever, so it's about playing good week to week. It's up to me to keep doing that job.'
The Age
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