In a close game, it can honestly be the difference.
With the NRL closer than ever, the need for a decent goal kicker is greater than ever.
The Knights were the second-best side off the tee last year, and will look to take the top spot this season.
Here's the goal kicking options facing Adam O'Brien as the nib Newcastle Knights vie for a top eight spot in 2020.
Kalyn Ponga
75/97 attempts at 77.3%
The man known as 'KP' improved out of sight with the boot last season.
Ponga improved from 69% in 2018 to nearly 83% in 2019, closely challenging renowned sharp-shooter Mason Lino for the teams best strike rate.
With Lino spending a majority of the pre-season in rehab for a shoulder injury, the left-footer is in the box seat to take kicking duties in 2020.
Mason Lino
49/60 attempts at 81.7%
With Ponga kicking brilliantly in 2019, it was going to take a pretty special kicker to relieve him of his duties.
Lino kicked at just over 84% in 2019, missing just 11 attempts all year on his way to having the best strike rate in the team.
However, Lino is vying for the No.6 jersey with Kurt Mann and Phoenix Crossland, and may not start the year after spending pre-season recovering from a shoulder reconstruction.
However, should Ponga go down and Lino be on the park, he would be a more than worthy replacement.
Mann: Nines jersey and five-eighth goals
Mitch Barnett
3/3 attempts at 100%
He may be the third-choice kicker, but Mitch Barnett has never failed when called upon to slot a crucial two points.
In fact, he hasn't missed a conversion attempt as a first grade player. He even kicked 2/2 in the team's big win over the Sydney Roosters last year, including a memorable conversion from the sideline.
Should both Lino and Ponga be missing from action, Barnett stands as a reliable fallback.
For more from NRL.com on the goal-kicking at all clubs, click here!
