TRY king Joel Monaghan has explained a winger’s thought process as attempts are made to dive over the line in the corners of pitches.

In 2012, a new rule identified that ball carriers touching a corner post would no longer be deemed to be out of play and it has led to an explosion of spectacular acrobatics in the act of attempting to touch down.

Bodies have been suspended over the sideline almost in a state of levitation as an arm stretches out to plant the ball cleanly.

Some of Monaghan’s efforts have been among them.

Split-second decision-making comes into play, whether to cut inside, look for support, or head to the corner, where there is then a call to dive high or low and getting body shape right as covering defenders pile across with the sole intention of crashing the potential scorer into the middle of next week.

“There is a lot to take on board in a split second,” said Monaghan, Wolves’ key strike weapon with 128 tries in 118 appearances since arriving from Canberra Raiders at the end of 2010.

“With that new rule about the corner post, as a winger you’re thinking that the more you can get in the air the more chance you have of getting the ball down before any of your body hits the touchline.

“That’s why these moments look special to supporters.”

It is a difficult act to try and replicate in practice and Monaghan said he does not study methods on video.

“With having played the position for so long, I just know what situations I am in and what is called for,” he said.

He was particularly impressed by one try scored by a fellow countryman in the NRL during 2014.

“Brett Morris scored a try for St George-Illawarra Dragons that was probably the best I’ve seen,” said Monaghan.

“He was mid-air and got his legs taken out from under him. Not many people in the world would have scored it. I thought that was impressive.”

Dragons will come to England to play Wolves in the World Club Series in February but there will be no head to head between Monaghan and Morris, who has moved to Canterbury Bulldogs.