This might just be the biggest kick in NRL history.
In a non-wind-assisted feat that surpassed the flying distance of the NFL’s longest ever punt, Bulldogs superboot Matt Burton launched the ball a remarkable 63 metres on the fly during Friday night’s loss to the Roosters.
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The booming kick, launched from his own 11-metre line, travelled 63 metres in the air before thudding into the turf.
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On a windless night at Allianz Stadium, the Steeden rolled another 16 metres and was still moving when James Tedesco finally retrieved it.
While Burton’s incredible boot couldn’t prevent the Roosters from handing the Bulldogs a crushing 32-12 defeat, his kick could well be the biggest in NRL history.
We asked Johnathan Thurston — one of the game’s greatest playmakers — what he thought of the kick.
“Bloody unbelievable,” he replied.
Thurston said he could not remember a bigger kick.
Neither could Hazem El Masri, the Bulldogs’ greatest ever goalkicker.
“I can’t remember anything close,” El Masri said. “It was just a monster.
“Nothing stands out in comparison, Nothing I have seen. He is just incredible.”
The longest punt in NRL history isn’t officially recorded, but a quick online search turns up some notable efforts.
While not a punt and aided by a gale-force wind, Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt drop-kicked the ball 62 metres on the full in 2018 during a match against the Eels.
And with the ball still and set at the point of impact — making it easier to generate power — Pat Richards kicked a 54-metre penalty goal in 2015.
“The power Burton generates is unbelievable,” El Masri said.
“I couldn’t punt, but even off the ground, my max was 40 to 45m. I think I got one from 50m once at training.”
While the NRL doesn’t keep official records, the NFL certainly does.
The longest kick in NFL history travelled four metres less than Burton’s screamer in the air.
In 1969, New York Jets punter Steve O’Neal’s kick covered a total distance of 89 metres — but only 63 metres in the air.
Burton’s effort was still rolling when James Tedesco ended its journey at 79 metres.
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