GOAL-KICKING guru Daryl Halligan says Josh Dugan and Reece Robinson need to embrace the finals hype to ensure they're not overcome by nerves if given the kicking duties on Saturday night.
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Halligan was in Canberra yesterday to put the duo through a kicking masterclass before the Raiders' do-or-die clash with South Sydney at ANZ Stadium. The sharpshooting great will be at the captain's run tomorrow to work with coach David Furner to decide who will take the kicking reins from the injured Jarrod Croker.
Croker was the highest point-scorer in the NRL this season, but his finals campaign came to an abrupt halt when an accidental knee fractured his cheekbone. He had surgery yesterday.
Blake Ferguson is also a capable kicker, but the choice has been narrowed to Dugan and Robinson.
Halligan is no stranger to pressure kicks and nailed some clutch shots at goal in his career with Canterbury. And he said the key to success for Dugan and Robinson was viewing the task as an opportunity, not a burden.
''It's a great opportunity for them, that's the way I look at it,'' Halligan said. ''Someone can jump up and take it … it should be a little bit of excitement for them more than anything, it's certainly nothing that they're going to fear.
''The only thing that is different [in finals] is the atmosphere and that usually makes [your routine] happen a little bit quicker. So if you can deal with that, there are no problems.''
Croker is unlikely to be available if the Raiders progress further into the finals. It is expected his injury will take at least six weeks to heal. However, a return has not been completely ruled out. The Raiders will wait to the see the extent of the damage and success of surgery.
Broncos great Darren Lockyer fractured his cheekbone in last year's finals series and had three titanium plates inserted as he attempted to complete a miraculous comeback. The Broncos even flew him to Sydney in a private helicopter at low altitude to prepare him for a preliminary final against Manly. But Lockyer withdrew from the match and the Broncos were knocked out of the premiership race.
With Dugan or Robinson to step into the goal-kicking role, Joel Thompson has moved from the second row to the centres.
Dugan took the kicking responsibilities when Croker left the field against the Sharks, but failed to get one through the posts.
''He [Dugan] was quick in his action, he rushed it a little bit,'' Halligan said. ''But I thought his second kick wasn't too bad … the first one probably spooked him. It's not as if anyone's going in cold, they've been kicking all year and Reece is handy as well, he's a natural talent.''
Furner is yet to decide on his game-day squad.