He's got one of the lowest goalkicking success rates in the NRL, but Dylan Walker is determined to keep delivering in the clutch for Manly.
Walker dramatically slotted a game-winning penalty goal in Saturday's win over Canberra despite missing his previous two shots and copping a verbal barrage from a few Raiders players.
"It's a competitive sport. That's what sport is and that's what people pay to see. We've seen so many players over the years come past and do sledging themselves," Walker said on Monday.
"That's just part of it. But the only thing you can do is, if you're gonna give it, you've got to be able to take it back. I was giving it and I got it thrown back at my face.
"There was obviously some banter going on, that's what made it the sweetest."
But despite his heroics in Canberra, Walker remains one of the worst kickers in the competition, converting just 25 of 37 attempts for a 67 per cent strike rate.
Of kickers who have had over ten shots, only back-up Canterbury striker Moses Mbye's seven conversion from 13 attempts is lower.
Last year, Walker - who will face his former club South Sydney on Friday night - was striking at a 75 per cent kicking behind club icon Jamie Lyon.
"It hasn't been going too well. It's been up and down. Got a couple of people here who think it's rocks and diamonds, but I'm going to keep working on it," Walker said.
"I have to make those two kicks, or at least one of them. We didn't have to go to golden point. But I'm going to keep working hard at training."
But while the 22-year-old admits his form with the boot could be better, he isn't shying away from the role and is adamant he can improve under the guidance of kicking coach Damien Hill.
Hill was the former head coach of Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels.
"There was obviously nerves there but I believe in... you can't shy away from those moments. The first two kicks, they were playing in my head," Walker said.
"But that's what you've got to do. I've taken responsibility for goalkicking in the team."
NRL GOALKICKERS' SUCCESS RATES AFTER ROUND EIGHT (minimum 11 shots):
Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) - 95 per cent
Nathan Cleary (Panthers) - 89.3
Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys) - 87
James Maloney (Sharks) - 81.8
Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers) - 81.5
...
Clint Gutherson (Eels) - 70
Michael Gordon (Roosters) - 67.9
Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles) - 67.6
Moses Mbye (Bulldogs) - 53.8
