The NRL has so many good fullbacks it is hard to fit them all into a top 10, so I have picked the top 10 purely on 2012 form.
There could be a few surprises and I’m sure some fans will not agree. I couldn’t find room for Josh Dugan, for example. If he had played more games he would definitely be in there somewhere.
10). Jarryd Hayne.
He has only played a couple of games and he is having a go. Can be caught out of position sometimes on kick returns but he is class, and will no doubt be higher ranked once his forwards start having a dig.
9). Josh Morris.
Still finding his way at fullback but he looks good in the number 1. He adds that extra sting in the Dragons attack. Something they need. The signs are there to be a good fullback.
8). Matt Bowen.
They call him a veteran but he still looks like a schoolkid on the field. Always in support of JT and great in defence. He puts in 100 percent every week and would not let Queensland down if recalled as a utility.
7). Brett Stewart.
Slowly getting back to his best. He is a vital part to the Manly attack. His vision in reading a half chance is his strength. He can appear from nowhere and create something from nothing.
6). Josh Hoffman.
Every player in the Broncos is doing their job this season. Hoffman has been a great asset so far in sharing the pressure in attack with Wallace and Norman. He should get the jump over Kevin Locke for the Kiwi number 1 job.
5). Anthony Minichiello.
He may be a tad slower these days but the Italian mountain cat still knows where to prowl. Showing good solid form early for the Roosters, he is definitely still in the mix for NSW.
4). Nathan Gardiner.
He is growing in confidence week by week linking with Carney and Graham. I don’t think he is ready for Origin yet but is certainly the pick of the NSW fullbacks after six rounds.
3). Greg Inglis.
The Bunnies look a different team with Inglis at fullback. He has the best fend in the game and defenders fear him running the ball back.
2) Ben Barba.
He pops up in the right place at the right time. Always hanging around Pritchard and Graham in support. He has improved under the high ball and in defence. He will fill the void as the Origin utility this year.
1). Billy Slater.
Who else would be at number one? He is the Black Caviar of fullbacks. You know he will put on a good show and a winning performance.
Draginheart
Guest
If your going to name the top 10 best fullbacks get the names right josh Morris does not 1 play for the Dragons. 2 play fullback he would not know how to play there. 3 Brett is 100% better player. 4 he plays for that team they call Bulldogs and 5 he would never play fullback he is not good enough so learn players names before saying anything please
mitchell
Guest
Michael Gordon Pen Jarryd Hayne Parra Billy Slater Mel Ben Barba Dogs
mitchell
Guest
Michael Gordon Pen Jarryd Hayne Parra Billy Slater Mel Ben Barba Dogs
towards 21
Roar Rookie
Inglis is awful at positional play, the game against Warriors an easy example. Attacjing kicks close to the line he never ends up near the ball, the nothing kick for Warriors first try made it look like it was off the boot of Joey Johns and followed thru by Usain Bolt. he was notwithin 12 metres even though the ball was on the left and the playmaker was there.. Merritt will be a better one but james Roberts is the best fullback at Souths.
Paul
Guest
Problem with your list is its the same problem as the semi finals, theres only 16 teams hence 16 fullbacks, your list should be a top 5. Slater Without Doubt Ingliss Mostly on Reputation Stewart Based on previous form and he is still getting better after the Knee problems Hoffman, Consistently plays well Dugan, Should be number 2 except he is injury prone.
eclipz
Guest
Funny about why people would use the word "hate" in connection with any player. I don't particularly like the the way some players come across (Jarryd, Benji, Manly etc.) but "hate"? That's an emotion filled word one uses when they're jealous !!
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
This is surely a wind up? Matt Seers? Good grief.
Johnno
Guest
Josh Dugan snib, very controversial this list. Dugan is the best young player in rugby league, and many will say he will be an immortal one day Josh dugan. I don't think Billy Slater will be an immortal, Brett mullins, matt seers, tim brasher, belcher, garyr jack all better than Billy slater. Mnay billy slater haters out there i find. Maybe coz he is perched as arrogant, or some think is talented i don't know. I always thought K Hunt was better anyway. And so did Mal Meninga it seems often picking k Hunt ahead of Slater, and Hunt is younger too by the way than Slater. I think K Hunt is the best full back talent wise I have seen.
eclipz
Guest
I have to agree with you about Locke. He's hard to leave out of this list.
Behold
Roar Rookie
Luke Burt is the best FULLBACK at Parramatta but Hayne can't handle playing any other position and has to be on the field to add some brilliance for 10 minutes a game. Hoffman is higher up than 6 and possibly second only to Billy. Inglis is still learning when to inject himself into the play.
DragonMik
Guest
How could you put Brett Morris at 9? He's been better than Josh Hoffman by far, and can actually make a tackle, unlike Ben "Bandwagon" Barba.
Blazza
Guest
Slater then daylight then Hoffman everyone else are show ponies who don't do everything a fullback should.
Chris Chard
Expert
Would be interested to see if Will Zillman made it into your top 20
soapit
Guest
if gordon hadnt been injured so much over the last couple of years he'd be right up there. whens he back by the way?
jamesb
Guest
Whilst the halves around the place is a little skinny, the players playing fullback ATM is stronger than ever. here is the list Brisbane -Josh Hoffman Canberra - Josh Dugan Canterbury- Ben Barba Cronulla- Nathan Gardner Gold Coast- William Zillman Manly- Brett Stewart Melbourne- BILLY SLATER Newcatle- Darius Boyd NZ Warriors- Kevin Locke Nth Qld- Matt Bowen Parramatta- Jarryd Hayne Penrith- Michael Gordon Souths- Greg Inglis St.George-Illawarra- Brett Morris Sydeny Roosters- Anthony Minichiello Wests Tigers- James Tedasco (should be)
baller
Guest
reckon queensland are pretty happy with what he does ........
Bearfax
Guest
This list changes year to year as people's memories wax and wane. Wasnt so long ago that Minichiello was considered the best full back around. Then it was Brett Stewart only 3 years ago, Hayne was up there for a time. Now Slater is the greatest. Will it be Barba or Gardner, Boyd or Dugan who in a year or two becomes the 'Greatest FullBack of all time' or will it be someone new. As far as I'm concerned this is all a lot of navel gazing and no true indication regarding who is or was the greatest fullback of all time. Sure Slater is slaying them at present and history may make him the greatest of all time.But more likely, like so many aspirants for that position, his name will falter just like Mini and Snake before him and someone new will come along and be our fullback champion.
Whites
Guest
Boyd is highly overrated. All he does when he catches a kick is pass it to his winger.
jamesb
Guest
Slater is number 1. As for the rest, put a blanket over them. Kevin Locke from the Warriors is worth mentioning and probably should be in the top ten. Michael Gordon from Penrith, if he stayed injury free, would've pushed Coote from fullback. I rate Gordon very highly when he plays fullback. Gardner, whilst he's a very good fullback, I wouldn't have him so high on the list. A shame about tigers James Tedasco been injured. From the highlights I saw, he looked a like a promising player
Whites
Guest
We all know they swap teams every fortnight.