WE'VE heard it time and again - kicking for goal is the one skill that hasn't improved in football over many seasons. But some players are far more reliable sharpshooters than others.

Here are the best and worst at your club when lining up in front of the big sticks.

Best: Rory Sloane (11 shots, 9 goals, 2 behinds, 0 misses, 82 per cent accuracy)

It's always valuable to have a midfielder who can hit the scoreboard. Sloane has kicked 18 goals for the season, with half of those coming from set shots. Sloane is reliable as they come in front of goal and makes the most of his opportunities.

Worst: Charlie Cameron (26 shots, 11 goals, 10 behinds, 5 misses, 42 per cent accuracy)

When you're a small forward who relies on pressure and pace, you need to convert when you have the chance. Cameron's much better on the run and loses his composure when he lines up for a set shot. His wayward goal-kicking against Sydney in round 22 proved costly in the three-point loss. - Lee Gaskin

Best: Ryan Bastinac (14 shots, 12 goals, one behind, one miss, 86%)

The former Kangaroo has rejuvenated his career with an excellent second half of the season. Playing a combination of midfield, wing and half-forward, Bastinac has been a regular and reliable goalkicker. His around-the-corner goal to put the Lions in front deep in the final quarter against the Bulldogs in round 20 was a spectacular set shot.

Worst: Dayne Zorko (15 shots, five goals, eight behinds, two misses, 33%)

One of the only things to blot a great season for the Lions' magician. For some reason he can't seem to capture the same accuracy as when he's on the run or in traffic. - Michael Whiting



Dayne Zorko is having an outstanding season, but his set shots aren't so hot. Picture: AFL Photos





Best: Matthew Wright (21 shots, 13 goals, 4 behinds, 4 misses, 62 per cent accuracy)

Wright has enjoyed another excellent season, playing mainly as a small forward who occasionally pushes into the midfield. His season-best haul of four goals was in the win against Sydney in round six and he has booted three-goal bags in four other games. Nominated for goal of the week in round two with a snap from near the boundary line against Melbourne and kicked a superb set shot goal from a similar position against Hawthorn last Saturday.

Worst: Jed Lamb (15 shots, 5 goals, 8 behinds, 2 misses, 33 per cent accuracy)

Generally is a good kick for goal and had his most effective game this season against Hawthorn last Saturday, getting under the skin of Hawks defender James Sicily while booting 2.2. Goes into midfield occasionally and being pushed up the ground might have affected his radar. - Howard Kotton

Best: Mason Cox and Jordan De Goey (10 shots, 8 goals, 2 behinds, 0 misses, 80 per cent accuracy)

The fact Collingwood's equal-best set shot exponent is a 211cm American who has played the game for just three years is perhaps an indictment on Cox's teammates, but it's certainly a glowing endorsement of the forward/ruckman's development. It helps that he often marks relatively close to goal, but he is a methodical, bankable kick. De Goey has an added benefit in that he can nail them from long range.

Worst: Levi Greenwood (16 shots, 6 goals, 7 behinds, 3 misses, 38 per cent accuracy)

The former Kangaroos tagger, who last year had an efficient overall tally of 18.9 (67%), would be disappointed about blazing 7.18 (28%) this season. However, the left-footer usually didn't miss by much – cold comfort for Pies fans. Fortunate not to have paid for missing a regulation shot in the last quarter of the round three win over Sydney. - Ben Collins

Best: Tom Bellchambers (10 shots, 8 goals, 2 behinds, 0 misses, 80 per cent accuracy)

Bellchambers has always been able to push forward and be a target around goal, having booted 28 goals in his career-best 2013 season. And his ability to kick goals has probably seen Bellchambers leap ahead of Matthew Leuenberger in Essendon's ruck battle as the Bombers' preferred No.1 big man for the second half of this season.

Worst: Josh Green (13 shots, 5 goals, 8 behinds, 0 misses, 39 per cent accuracy)

Green has been a serviceable player for the Dons in his first season at the club, but he could have been more productive if not missing some of his shots for goal. The small forward has been poor from set shots, which has contributed to his overall tally of 17 goals and 21 behinds for the year. - Callum Twomey

Best: Lachie Neale (11 shots, 8 goals, 3 behinds, 0 misses, 73 per cent accuracy)

The ball-magnet wanted to have more scoreboard impact this season and he certainly achieved that early in the campaign. The highlight was Neale booting four telling goals from set shots in the Dockers' nailbiting two-point win over Melbourne in round four. The 24-year-old is never flustered, which seems to help his set shot goalkicking.

Worst: Hayden Crozier (16 shots, 6 goals, 8 behinds, 2 misses, 38 per cent accuracy)

This season has been an aberration for the 23-year-old, who had kicked 31.19 in his career entering 2017. Crozier's blemishes haven't been confined to set shots this year, he has also booted 6.8 (not including misses) from open play. - Travis King

Best: Daniel Menzel (24 shots, 19 goals, 3 behinds, 2 missed, 79 per cent accuracy)

The mid-sized forward has played 16 games this season with body management still a factor for the four-time knee reconstruction recipient, who would have spent plenty of time kicking for goal during his years of rehabilitation. He's also slightly altered his kicking technique this season, which has helped with his accuracy.

Worst: James Parsons (10 shots, 3 goals, 4 behinds, 3 missed, 30 per cent accuracy)

In his first season of AFL football after spending 2016 in the VFL, there is always going to be inconsistency. And, the high half-forward, who brings excellent pressure to the team, has kicked 13 goals in total for the year – mainly on the run.

Best: Callum Ah Chee (12 shots, 10 goals, one behind, one miss, 83%)

Little surprise here. Ah Chee's season has been interrupted by injury, but the clever half-forward, who was moved to defence at the weekend, has a no-fuss kicking routine where not much can go wrong. The Suns would like to see him create more opportunities.

Worst: Michael Barlow (13 shots, four goals, seven behinds, two misses, 31%)

Although Barlow hasn't always been known for his silky skills, the former Docker has generally been a safe shot around goal. Not this season though. Playing primarily midfield and resting forward, he's missed a lot more than he's kicked. Ironically he's also responsible for a freakish set shot checkside against Geelong in round seven. - Michael Whiting

Best: Rory Lobb (15 shots, 14 goals, 4 behinds, 1 missed, 74%)

One of the best contested marks in the competition, Lobb does his best work close to goal and it shows in his conversion. The former basketballer also has a great technique for set shots.

Worst: Steve Johnson (14 shots, 5 goals, 7 behinds, 2 missed, 36%)

It's somewhat surprising to see the veteran with such a poor conversion rate given his reputation as a sharp shooter. There's no doubt Johnson has lost some distance in his kick, but he also takes more shots from tight angles than most, which hurts his finishing rate. - Adam Curley



Not surprisingly set shots aren't Stevie J's favourite approach to goal. Picture: AFL Photos





Best: Ben McEvoy (15 shots, 13 goals, one behind, one miss, 87 per cent)

When McEvoy takes a contested mark inside 50 you might as well reach for your pen and open the middle pages of your AFL Record because he is a near certainty to kick the goal. He has had an excellent season for the Hawks, good enough to have his contract extended for two more seasons, and one reason why is his reliability close to goal.

Worst: Will Langford (17 shots, two goals, nine behinds, six misses, 12 per cent)

Cue the Benny Hill music when Langford lines up for a set shot. He has had a serious case of the yips when lining up for goal and he received a huge ovation when he kicked truly on Saturday night against the Blues. Perhaps it was the closed roof and the absence of wind, because up until then he was missing everything. The unfortunate aspect for Langford is that in every other respect he has recaptured his ball-hunting form of 2014, but his place in the side will remain in jeopardy if he cannot kick straight. - Ashley Browne

Best: Tom McDonald (23 shots, 18 goals, four behinds, one miss, 78 per cent accuracy)

McDonald was moved to the forward line out of necessity, with Jesse Hogan and Jack Watts missing for decent periods during the season. The usual defender kicked 19 goals over a nine-week period, including a career-high five – with the match sealer – in a thrilling finish against West Coast in round 14. With Hogan back in the team, McDonald has shifted back to a permanent position in defence. However, the Demons know they may be able to call upon him and throw him into attack to provide a spark in the finals.

Worst: Tomas Bugg (10 shots, two goals, seven behinds, one miss, 20 per cent accuracy).

Before serving his six-week suspension for striking Sydney's Callum Mills, Bugg was playing an important role in Melbourne's forward line. Often employed as the pressure forward, the Western Bulldogs clearly weren't ready for the defensive job Bugg performed on Jason Johannisen in round 13. However, despite putting himself in good spots to be used inside forward 50, Bugg's radar was off target with four behinds and zero goals, and then three behinds and no goals against North Melbourne in round nine and Gold Coast in round 10. It remains to be seen whether he can regain his spot in Simon Goodwin's team leading into finals. – Ben Guthrie



Tom Bugg's poor kicking may explain why he celebrates so hard when he slots one. Picture: AFL Photos





Best: Todd Goldstein (11 shots, 8 goals, 3 behinds, 0 misses, 73%)

The 2015 All Australian ruckman has emerged as the Roos' most accurate set shot. It is fascinating, given so many column inches were dedicated to his straightforward miss in the last minute against Fremantle in round 16 that cost North victory. Goldstein's tally is no fluke: he has kicked more goals than behinds in eight of his 10 seasons, including an efficient 20.7 last year.

Worst: Shaun Higgins (14 shots, 5 goals, 9 behinds, 0 misses, 29%)

This is one of the more unexplainable ratios. Higgins is one of North's finest field kicks – the efficiency numbers won't show that, because he is often under pressure as a midfielder – but has struggled in front of goal in 2017. Making matters worse, he failed to hear a play-on call on a set shot in round 14 and was run down by Bulldog Jake Stringer. – Marc McGowan

Best: Charlie Dixon (67 shots, 39 goals, 17 behinds, 11 misses, 58 per cent accuracy)

The Power key forward is one of the best contested marking players in the competition, hence why 39 of his 42 goals have come from set shots. Accuracy in front of goal has been one of the Power's big problems this season, with Dixon being the most reliable at 58 per cent saying a lot.

Worst: Justin Westhoff (14 shots, 5 goals, 6 behinds, 3 misses, 36 per cent accuracy)

The veteran swingman has struggled in front of goals this season. Westhoff has looked to pass off to a teammate anytime he is within 50m of goal. He is much more comfortable pulling off the spectacular, like he did with his volley in China, rather than lining up from a set shot. - Lee Gaskin

Best: Dustin Martin (18 shots, 11 goals, six behinds, one miss, 61 per cent)

A key tactic for the Tigers this season has been isolating Martin deep forward, where he can monster his opponents one-on-one in dangerous positions. As a result, he has taken 22 marks inside 50 (more than all top-20 ball-winners bar Patrick Dangerfield) and found himself in positions where he can capitalise. Then there is his pure skill with the footy in his hands.



It takes confidence to slot set shots, and Dusty has that in spades. Picture: AFL Photos



Worst: Shane Edwards (13 shots, four goals, seven behinds, two misses, 31 per cent)

Playing on a wing and at half-forward, Edwards hasn't been taking set shots in high-percentage areas this season. He most notably kicked 0.3 against GWS in round 18, including one set shot from 40m and another from 50m on the boundary. He hasn't been rotated deep forward like other midfielders at Punt Road Oval. - Nathan Schmook

Best: Blake Acres (11 shots, 9 goals, 1 behinds, 1 miss, 82%)

The young midfielder occasionally makes blunders but he has plenty of ability. His composure to nail a couple of set shots early in the last quarter against Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium in round seven gave the Saints a lead they wouldn't concede.

Worst: Mav Weller (19 shots, 4 goals, 13 behinds, 2 misses, 21%)

A right ankle issue has plagued Weller this season, while his penchant for taking long-range shots also lowers his conversion rate. His poor kicking can tarnish impressive play, such as when he won a free kick with a great tackle on Melbourne backman Christian Salem in round one. Weller needed to convert from directly in front, 45m out, to halt the Dees' momentum, but he made poor connection with the footy and the Saints lost by five goals. – Dinny Navaratnam

Best: George Hewett (12 shots, 8 goals, 1 behinds, 3 missed, 67%)

Hewett has been clutch in front of goal since he debuted last year and continues to be extremely reliable for the Swans. As a half-forward who works into the midfield, he works hard on every facet of his game, and goalkicking is just one of those.

Worst: Tom Papley (17 shots, 8 goals, 8 behinds, 1 missed, 47%)

The small forward is ever dangerous around goals but he's more comfortable on the run or snapping from tight angles. Papley doesn't have a long leg from a set shot which hurts him with accuracy. - Adam Curley

Best: Drew Petrie (13 shots, 9 goals, 3 behinds, 1 miss, 69 per cent accuracy)

The former Roo has been a reliable set shot across his 329-game career and is a true professional with his training standards, so it's no surprise he features high up on this list. Even with a broken hand he drilled a long-range shot against his old team in round one. Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy deserves a mention. He has a total of 64.34 this year, making the most of limited opportunities.



The Eagles have done well with Drew Petrie, especially in front of goal. Picture: AFL Photos





Worst: Jeremy McGovern (19 shots, 6 goals, 9 behinds, 4 misses, 32 per cent accuracy)

When the star defender starts his set shot run he looks just like that – a star defender. There is no doubt McGovern is more suited to the backline than attack although, in saying that, he has done some more than handy jobs up forward, especially while Kennedy was sidelined through injury. Still, his 3.3 - with a set shot failing to score - against Melbourne in round 14 was costly. - Travis King

Best: Lachie Hunter (14 shots, nine goals, three behinds, two misses, 64 per cent accuracy)

The crafty midfielder has a habit of slipping into space and taking an uncontested mark when drifting into attack. While not the most penetrating kick, the father-son hard runner knows his limitations.

Worst: Marcus Bontempelli (27 shots, eight goals, 15 behinds, 30 per cent accuracy)

For a side that has been hampered by inefficiency in front of the big sticks, it may come as a surprise Marcus Bontempelli is a main offender, as the star playmaker is the Bulldogs' best field kick. While a normally a reliable kick for goal on the run, Jake Stringer is also going at a lowly 30 per cent from a set shot. - Ryan Davidson