SuperCoach classic match: Kimmorley’s perfect performance

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In the very first addition of our series of historic SuperCoach matches to run throughout the year, we take a look back at Cronulla halfback Brett Kimmorley’s demolition job of Newcastle in 2002.

The star playmaker orchestrated a 64-14 thrashing of the defending premiers at Shark Park, earning him a perfect 10 rating by Rugby League Week at the time.

Kimmorley’s performance was one of just 17 to be given 10/10 by RLW which introduced the ratings system in 1978.

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Making the display even more outstanding was the quality of opposition he faced.

Newcastle won the comp the year prior, finished equal first in 2002, had beaten the Sharks 52-8 earlier in the season and boasted Andrew Johns who would go on to claim the Dally M medal just a few months later.

We reviewed the clash and allocated SuperCoach points to determine how Kimmorley would have scored under the current SuperCoach system.

We were limited to highlights of the clash, so additional stats have been conservatively awarded in an attempt to determine his score.

BRETT KIMMORLEY v KNIGHTS, 2002

Kimmorley was instrumental in scoring two tries in the clash and assisting a further three.

The stocky halfback had three linebreak assists, a try contribution, linebreak and three tackle breaks from the footage at our disposal.

Kimmorley also converted 10/12 goals to equal the club record.

His 28 point haul on the day was the most in the club’s history.

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Along with a few additional stats (see below), we’ve estimated Kimmorley to have cracked a stunning 202 SuperCoach points in the riot.

This would have eclipsed the current official record of 194 points set by Tom Trbojevic in Round 23 against the Titans in 2018.

Remarkably Manly would go on to lose the same fixture 42-34 at Brookvale Oval.

Stats	Actual	Estimated	Total
Try	2		34
Goals	10		40
Try-assist	3		36
Try contribution	1		4
Linebreak	1		10
Linebreak assist	3	1	32
Tackle breaks	3	3	12
Hit-ups (Over 8m)		6	12
Hit-ups (Under 8m)		4	4
Offloads		2	8
Tackles		12	12
Forced drop-out		1	6
Missed tackles		2	-2
Missed goals	2		-4
Errors		1	-2
Total			202 points

*If there’s any individual performances you’d like us to analyse let us know in the comments below.

Cronulla Sharks 64 Tries: Matthew Rieck (3), Brett Kimmorley (2), Paul Mellor (2), David Peachey (2), Chris McKenna, Dean Treister. Goals: Brett Kimmorley (10/12)]

Defeated

Newcastle Knights 14 Tries: Matthew Gidley, Andrew Johns, Timana Tahu. Goals: Andrew Johns (1/2), Daniel Abraham (0/1)]