George Williams is set to assume Canberra Raiders goal-kicking duties for the early stages of the NRL season, should captain Jarrod Croker fail to recover from shoulder surgery in time for round one.
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The English halfback has been sharpening his skills all through the preseason, having worked closely with Croker and goal-kicking coach Darryl Halligan at the back end of last season.
Williams heads a long list of suitors to Croker's irreplaceable left boot, which won't be seeing any action until the 30-year-old bounces back from the shoulder injury he carried through the latter stages of 2020.
Jordan Rapana, Bailey Simonsson and Elliot Whitehead are all capable at nursing the ball over the black dot, while Josh Papalii has proven his proficiency at training with both feet.
But it's England halfback Williams who is set to get the nod should he be required.
"There's a few boys there that can kick, Georgey at the moment is a better kicker than he thinks he is, he probably hasn't kicked enough until now to realise that he is," Croker said.
"If I do manage to miss out I'd say he'd be the one there. Rapa and Bailey can both kick quite well but I think Georgey's probably the man to do it.
"You've got to want to do it. I haven't actually thought too much of it because I'm planning on being there myself but if I wasn't there I'd say Georgey would be next."
Williams is no stranger to the kicking tee, having knocked over 69 goals for Wigan before moving to the Raiders, but he's not yet been required to line up the big sticks in the NRL.
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After a frustrating start to 2021 which left Williams locked up in an unscheduled Melbourne quarantine, the 26-year-old is bursting to lead the Raiders around the park for his second year in the league.
England and Raiders teammate Elliott Whitehead was expecting big things from the classy half, and backed his compatriot to handle goalkicking duties should they come his way.
"He would probably get the first opportunity, he's been practicing out there and going well so I reckon it's him," Whitehead said.
"Jordan Rapana can kick goals as well, so we've got two quality back ups there to Jarrod. Josh Papalii's pretty good, he can hit them with both feet as well so he might be up there as well."
The pair have been joined this offseason by fellow Englishman Harry Rushton, filling the breach left by departing countryman John Bateman. Canberra plays a trial against the Sydney Roosters later this month, before starting their season against the Wests Tigers on March 14.