Kicking a field goal when behind

[LeagueNut]

Does anyone else think it might be a good tactic to kick a field goal when you're behind on the scoreboard?

Take the Raiders the other night, trailling by 2 with about 5-6 minutes to go. Why not slot a one-pointer while you can, and reduce the deficit to 1? There's plenty of advantages:
- you get the ball back straight away
- you open the door for another field goal to lock up the scores, instead of relying on a try or a penalty kick
- you get some momentum going, and probably some sort of psychological boost as well (one point is easier to get than two or four)

I don't think it would ever become a widespread tactic but in the right circumstances it could be a match-turner. I know about the Terry Lamb story, but has anyone else ever kicked a field goal when their team is losing?

 

[Eels Dude]

Dumbest thing I've ever heard. If you miss which is a 50/50 chance when it comes to field goal attempts all you're doing is giving the ball back to your opposition. Psychological boost to the opposition morelike and completely taking the pressure of them.

 

[cleary89]

We lost a game 72-3 once. We kicked 3 field goals.

Probably only time ever it should be considered.

 

[MacDougall]

I agree with OP. I have seen moments in a match where it can be of benefit.

If you're down by 6 and half time is looming and you don't look like cracking the opposition. Why not?

 

[Manly Mick]

Terry lamb did it a few years ago, the dumbest thing I've ever seen on a footy field, Bulldogs lost by 1

 

[innsaneink]

Odds would be roughly the same for kicking a one pointer and scoring a try off a bomb.
If your close enough for a FG, youre close enough to hoik one up.
Rather a chance at 4/6 than 1

 

[MacDougall]

I disagree completely. To kick a field goal when nobody expects it ... any NRL level half should be able to nail them from 30-40 out no sweat. There is no way the odds are the same of scoring off a bomb.

If that was the case, why would we EVER see field goals kicked?

 

[innsaneink]

Probably right, and probably why theyre only worth a point

Still rather go for a try....its a very negative defeatist attitude, especially if behind.

 

[user_nat]

I often think that teams should kick a field goal when they are losing. Just because they don't even look like scoring a try, so they may as well.

 

[Front-Rower]

It's a good idea. If your 4 -6 behind with 10 - 15 to go why not put one point on the board. Would make the oppostion think and probably take their chance for a field goal out of the equation.

 

[typicalfan]

lol How often do early field goals mean a team on the losing side. Field Goals are IMO a negative tactic. It would send a message to the opposing defense that you don't think you can score a try.

Field goals when behind or in the first half other than in the last second should be banned.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Id rather take the odds of getting a repeat 6 again. Short banana grubber into the in goal and build pressure. All teams crack under a certain amount of pressure. But how much pressure? And is the pressure your applying good enough?

 

[El Diablo]

Terry lamb did it a few years ago, the dumbest thing I've ever seen on a footy field, Bulldogs lost by 1

he was cheering afterwards

then he realised what the score was

 

[Bricey]

you get your 1 point.....great!

Then you realise that the opposition kick off and when you get the ball back your 90ms away from the try line and you have to do it all again....

grubber into the in goal if you cant score. Get the repeat set and continue with the pressure thanks

 

[RL1908]

I can hear the bookies and disgruntled punters screaming already!

 

[bobbis]

With 5-6 minutes left, no way. 2 down with 10-15 maybe, good chance you'll get a second chance to slot one. Better just trying to apply pressure, go for the try or a penalty.

 

[Rovelli]

Don't like it. Referees are immune to giving penalties away in kicking position in the closing minutes (barring something blatantly obvious), so you wouldn't kick a goal to win the match.

 

[*Paul*]

The idea is OK, the problem is kicking said FG isn't a given, the lottery of the bomb is probably on a par.

However, the idea that field goals mean you're not trying the score or can't is nonsense. Seems to have been made up in the last few years, probably by Gus. One point is always better than none, if there's nothing on, why not.

Incidentally, the Phil Blake FG in this game came at the death with Manly trailing 10-26.

 

[marshall stalin]

Does anyone else think it might be a good tactic to kick a field goal when you're behind on the scoreboard?

Take the Raiders the other night, trailling by 2 with about 5-6 minutes to go. Why not slot a one-pointer while you can, and reduce the deficit to 1? There's plenty of advantages:
- you get the ball back straight away
- you open the door for another field goal to lock up the scores, instead of relying on a try or a penalty kick
- you get some momentum going, and probably some sort of psychological boost as well (one point is easier to get than two or four)

I don't think it would ever become a widespread tactic but in the right circumstances it could be a match-turner. I know about the Terry Lamb story, but has anyone else ever kicked a field goal when their team is losing?

Canberra should have went for the try instead of the goal- 5 to 6 minutes to go as the tigers were running on empty- i am sure if campese was out there they would have.

 

[Paullyboy]

I think there is a bit of merit to it, but I wouldn't be going down that path myself.

What baffles me is how much value some teams (Dragons are one example, the Dogs used to be the same when Price was skipper) put on a penalty goal. Some teams will take the 2 points on offer no matter what the situation is, in the semi-final the Dragons took a penalty goal to extend the lead from 8 to 10 - what was the point?

For people with that mentality (ie, take any point you can), I don't understand why they don't consider field goals more often.

Don't get me wrong, I think it'd be boring and negative, but if that's their mentality already I don't understand why they don't adopt that approach.