Torpedo Punts

[Herne Hill Hammer]

I like the torpedo punt - apart from the kick itself - it brings in a bit of excitement - because you dont where the ball will go - so something spectacular could be on the end of it

Gary Malarkey ( Geelong fullback ) was one of the best - he used to kick them in from fullback

Went to a Geelong v Hawthorn in the late 70s at Waverly - terrible game - both sides outside the 5 - but in the 3rd qtr Malarkey kicked about 3 70 metre torps in a row from fullback - could have sat their and watched him do it allday . So even though it was a very ordinary game - i thought i got my moneys worth watching Malarkey kick his torps

He would regularly kick them to the centre circle at Kardinia. Number 5, the Elephant Man (then number 6 later when Snr had come along)

 

[Apsaalooke]

The torp or screw punt is great to see, but the most elegant kick to watch is a long dropkick. Saw one go 80 metres once. Really miss that.

 

[Apsaalooke]

Today's possession game and the fact most players can kick 60m now has killed it.

Not sure about that. How often do you see someone at the 50 with eyes darting around and the commentators saying its outside his range.
Tony Modra kicked 588 goals but couldn't kick past 40 metres. Pretty much the only goal Eddie Betts has kicked from outside the 50 was a left foot torp.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I've always lived in Victoria and I've heard torp, barrel and torry, but never torpy. It's interesting, personally I've found them to be used far more regularly in the past couple of years. It's good with the element of surprise from a kick out, but it kind of loses its effectiveness when you're expecting it (for example, when Tuohy takes the kick out for us, I'm pretty much expecting a torp).

Ben Graham was brilliant at them, unsurprisingly, considering his post AFL career. But the best exponent would almost certainly be someone from before my time, when torps were the regular kick for a lot of players, such as Doug Wade.

The goal by Bruce Lindner (sporting a lace up guernsey??!) in the video below was a fair roost. It's at about 3.50, but just watch the whole thing, it's worth it.

 

[scout]

Love a good torp, or barrel, but it's not a skill too many players can consistently execute.

Stuart Dew was a master, dropping some beauties at training. Those big legs packed some power.

The best I saw from him was at a casual goal kicking practice session, only a few players out there, don't think they really noticed.

He got great height on the kick & the sweetest rotation on the ball. It moved through the air like a bullet & looked like it might stay up there forever.

 

[Topkent]

Lynden Dunn can still get onto a decent one. It's a bloody shame blokes don't kick them now. Imagine how dangerous sav rocca would be taking a mark from a kick in and wheeling around and belting it 30m clear of the press over the back

 

[Sherrinator]

Not sure about that. How often do you see someone at the 50 with eyes darting around and the commentators saying its outside his range.
Tony Modra kicked 588 goals but couldn't kick past 40 metres. Pretty much the only goal Eddie Betts has kicked from outside the 50 was a left foot torp.

The eyes dart as accuracy comes into it and it is in every teams game plan to find a sure target i50.

 

[Anja_Nees]

Classic Aussie rhyming slang.

Mark Robinson is a massive torpedo punt.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Today's players haven't got the skills to kick one properly.

 

[1970crow]

Hi, I'm sure there have been threads about this before, but I'd like to get this discussion going now.

The torpedo punt is rarely used, but when it comes off it is a weapon breaking lines & exciting the crowd.

As a kid in WA we called them torys (said like Tory Dickson), & I've heard them called torps, barrels & spirals. Whatever.

My questions: 1. what do you call the torpedo?
2. Which player/s do/did the kick really well?
3. Do you have one kick which you remember with special fondness?

*wondering which post number a particular kick I have in mind is posted*
I didn't post this in polls as I reckon there could be too many different players nominated.

Called all those names listed plus screw punt or screwie.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

I've always lived in Victoria and I've heard torp, barrel and torry, but never torpy. It's interesting, personally I've found them to be used far more regularly in the past couple of years. It's good with the element of surprise from a kick out, but it kind of loses its effectiveness when you're expecting it (for example, when Tuohy takes the kick out for us, I'm pretty much expecting a torp).

Ben Graham was brilliant at them, unsurprisingly, considering his post AFL career. But the best exponent would almost certainly be someone from before my time, when torps were the regular kick for a lot of players, such as Doug Wade.

The goal by Bruce Lindner (sporting a lace up guernsey??!) in the video below was a fair roost. It's at about 3.50, but just watch the whole thing, it's worth it.

Very enjoyable

 

[Cursed Cat]

i remember Ben Graham lobbing a kick-in right on half-time at KP over the centre of the field once. I'm guessing he had to have a bit of breeze with him but holy shit it was a big kick.

Peter Riccardi was a ripper for the Cats too, only needed one step to set up and execute the torp with consistency ..