Addo-Carr sets new NRL speed record

Josh Addo-Carr has laid down a compelling claim to be the quickest player in any football code after clocking the fastest speed ever recorded in rugby league.

Addo-Carr will roar into the Origin arena this year having reached a phenomenal 38.5 km/hr while in action for Melbourne in their round five clash with North Queensland.

Not only does the Storm flyer’s top in-game speed trump his previous Telstra Tracker data record of 37.8 km/hr in 2017, it is the fastest any NRL player has recorded through its GPS data analysis.

Addo-Carr’s startling figures come as NRL.com and Telstra Tracker reveal the game’s fastest players across each position, with the baby Broncos’ forwards in particular recording formidable figures.

But way out in front is Addo-Carr, who has only found an extra yard of pace despite adding an extra eight kilos of muscle over the 2019 pre-season.

His 38.5km/hr top speed came in the Storm’s 18-12 win over the Cowboys, Addo-Carr in full flight as he chased a scrum kick down his left edge.

Of course, it’s rare to see players in any sport besides straight-out sprinting truly hit the afterburners, and Addo-Carr’s acceleration and power through contact are his true trump cards.

Still, the NSW Origin incumbent stacks up very well compared to footballers not just in Australia but across the globe.

In AFL North Melbourne’s Majak Daw – all 195cm of him – was clocked at 35.6 km/hr last year, while Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale has been timed at 36.9 km/hr.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has reportedly clocked the fastest speeds in the NFL, his 36.6 km/hr reached against Denver in 2017 especially impressive given it came in pads and a helmet.

Usain Bolt remains light years ahead of all comers, clocked at a world record 44.72 km/hr as the fastest top speed recorded by a human in 2009.

Closer to home, Latrell Mitchell follows in Addo-Carr’s wake this year with 36.6km/hr recorded by the 21-year-old on Anzac Day.

Usual suspects James Tedesco, Suliasi Vunivalu and James Roberts, despite his ongoing Achilles issues, also feature among the NRL’s top 10 fastest speeds of 2019.

Joining rugby league’s pace setter as well is six-game Storm rookie Ryan Papenhuyzen, whose turf-scorching 35.8km/hr came in a long run against the Tigers last week.

In lining up the fastest players across each position the game’s next generation continues to surprise.

Up front Brisbane’s highly rated young forwards pack some serious pace.

Tevita Pangai Jr (31 km/hr) and Payne Haas (30.9km/hr) make up an impressive front row in our speedsters side, the pair putting a combined 232 kilos into a very reasonable top gear.

Teammate David Fifita also clocked an identical 32.9km/hr to Roosters and NSW captain Boyd Cordner, while Cowboys man mountain Coen Hess jagged the other second-row spot with a formidable 33.3km/hr.

While Damien Cook possesses the best running game of NRL hookers, it’s another young gun that trumps Cook’s best of 32.8 km/hr this year.

Canterbury’s Jeremy Marshall-King has been recorded at 34.3km/hr as the NRL’s fastest No.9 this year, teammate Rhys Martin (33.8 km/hr) joining him at lock.

And in the halves Daly Cherry-Evans' status as one of the game’s fittest players has been backed up with a top speed of 33.6 km/hr, leaving behind the likes of Luke Keary, Kodi Nikorima and Michael Morgan.

Canberra’s Jack Wighton has done the same in his new position at five-eighth, his 35.6 km/hr against Penrith in Wagga the seventh fastest speed on record in 2019.