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Debate rages wherever rugby league is played – just who is the number one No. 1 in our game?
There are so many fantastic fullbacks playing at the moment that I’ve penned today’s column as a salute to all of them.
Fullback has become the most important position on the field in the modern game.
Before, it was halfbacks and hookers, but today’s fullbacks have to be weapons in attack and equally effective when they have to serve as the last line of defence.
Most discussion on fullbacks in recent months has centred on the dazzling exploits of Greg Inglis and Jarryd Hayne, with many claiming one or both have eclipsed Billy Slater as Australia’s premier No. 1.
G.I. has been a colossus for the Rabbitohs in their brilliant surge towards the finals, while Hayne has been the standout for Parramatta in just about every game they have won in 2014.
Hayne has had two truly magnificent seasons but other than those, his form chart has had the ups and downs of a roller-coaster.
I have been fortunate enough to play with all three players – Greg and Billy at Melbourne, and Jarryd in a City versus Country game. But in those games, Greg was pretty much a centre and five-eighth, and Jarryd played in the No. 6 jumper for City.
All three are fantastic players but Slater has been the best fullback over the last eight or nine years, and still holds that status.
He will be the Australian fullback in the upcoming Four Nations tournament – he richly deserves it.
Billy has been consistently brilliant in the one position. Let’s take a look at some of his achievements.
Golden Boot winner (2008), Clive Churchill Medal winner (2009), Dally M winner (2011), Dally M Fullback of the Year (2008, 2011), Wally Lewis Medal winner (2010), grand final winner (2012), World Cup player of the tournament (2008). Furthermore, he has scored 167 tries from 266 games to be third overall on the premiership try-scorer’s list.
These are mighty achievements and his form this year has been right up to his own lofty standards, even if his club team hasn’t been as dominant as we have come to expect.
I am prepared to argue Slater’s case against all challengers, even though the above-mentioned, Sydney-based fullbacks are getting saturation media attention.
But these guys aren’t the only gun fullbacks playing our game.
Manly’s Brett Stewart has been a superb footballer from the day he hit first grade in 2003. He has been a try-scoring freak but has never been given enough credit for the tries he stops.
Then there is Sam Tomkins, a star performer for the New Zealand Warriors this year. He is a class act who has been a welcome addition to the NRL after earning superstar status in the English Super League.
A number of exciting young fullbacks are also emerging – Penrith’s Matt Moylan, the Roosters’ Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Tedesco at the Wests Tigers and Michael Morgan at the Cowboys.
We are blessed to have such a wonderful array of fullbacks to watch on a weekly basis but Billy Slater still reigns as the king.
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