Any front runners for the role?

The only genuine first teamer I remember ever kicking goals is Sam. Still keeping my fingers crossed we have a goal kicking centre lined up but I think we are pretty much done.

I know shorrocks has kicked a few but I'm similar to you, other than Sam I can't think of anyone else.

Can only assume that all of our playmakers will be asked to practice a lot over the winter!

George Williams shared the kicking duties with Ryan Hampshire as they progressed through the academy system so I am surprised that he hasn't been put forward for the job. Then again maybe the coaching staff feel it would be a bit too much pressure to put on a young lad who is also one of the few attacking threats we have.

Get the best candidates practicing through pre-season, the smart money is probably on Sam Tomkins though

From what I remember his goal kicking technique was always pretty bad, and at this rate Shorrocks will be playing more than Sam anyway if he carries on getting injured

didnt tony Clubb kick when he was a centre?

No, are you thinking of Paul Sykes?

I disagree. I think his technique is good. And he's got the bottle, remember the penalty at Leeds?

He's always played in teams that have good kickers (Pat and Shaun Johnson) so he hasn't had much opportunity. His kicking out of hand has improved no end at NZW where he took the drop outs and penalties and kicked in play a lot. If his knees are up to it I think he might be pretty good.

The one at Leeds is one of the good ones, and he certainly has the arrogance/confidence. But form what I remember, he always seems to get under it and balloon it way high. It always looked to me like he just swung a peg at it and hoped.

Not sure but I saw his kick out of hand from the Leeds grand final the other night and if his goal kicking is of a similar standard we best leave him off the list

Get everyone trying out kicking, and whoever scores a try has to take the conversion attempt.

We did that at school for a bit, didn't work very well.

I think Williams is the best option. as a half, it cant be a bad thing to develop kicking skills to complement his more natural flair. He is also pretty much guaranteed to start.

Smith is a good example of what dedication can do. Just look how his drop goal game developed over his time with us (and as a place kicker he wasnt as bad as people make out).

Now that Smith has gone - who is going to be the 1 point king ?

Well, let's hope we don't need as many next year...

Didn't Leuluai kick goals in his formative years over here in London?

I think he did a bit and there was talk of him being in for it when Richards got the job.

If we don't sign a goalkicker I think it'll be between Leuluai, Tomkins, Powell and Williams. Given Powell won't always be on the field I'd probably rule him out.

That was my memory of him - always looked like he just hit it as hard he could. The definition of hit and hope.

I was at that Leeds game in 2011, and remember thinking we had a better chance by tapping it and trying to get a try. Celebrated like a lunatic when he landed it though!

Other clubs seem to have at least 2 options for kicking goals (Wire have 4!). Why do we leave ourselves in this situation and why haven't we brought through a genuinely world class kicker from our great academy

They probably have 6, all of which are more capable than anyone on our team.

Ratchford, Gidley, Sandow, Westerman, Westwood, Patton

Wigan do (did) have four or more. Smith, Williams, S Tomkins, Shorrocks, Higginson and Gregson. Sadly three of them are injured.

There's no way you can count S.Tomkins, I bet he's not practiced for about 5 years. Don't think Williams has ever kicked a goal for the first team either.

Williams kicked 11 goals in 2014, 8 in SL and 3 in the CC

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good argument