Grand final pair Anthony Milford and Michael Morgan’s transition from fullback to five-eighth was seamless. Many believe Penrith’s prospects will sky rocket with Matt Moylan’s speed and guile shifted to the front line.
So what does a coach expect from a fullback? What is it about the modern version of rugby league forcing traditional five-eighths to glance nervously over their shoulder?
To unravel the current fullback obsession it’s worth rolling the tape back 60 years to the premier custodian of the time, Clive Churchill.
The Little Master’s unique brand of skills filled training manuals for subsequent generations. However a try-scoring drought, one that unbelievably lasted his entire career, shows just how far the role has evolved.
In 157 career games for the Rabbitohs, the Team of the Century fullback only crossed the line on 13 occasions. Astonishingly for a backline legend he went try-less in 37 Tests.
By modern try scoring standards, the uninitiated could well interpret the diminutive speedster forged Immortality from the front-row. He has a strike rate remarkably similar to George Rose – who tallied 10 tries in 151 appearances.
Obviously racking up three-pointers in the old currency wasn’t Churchill’s forte but a rare ability to orchestrate attacking raids proved revolutionary.
Since then there’s been the dazzling sidesteps of Graeme Langlands through to the kamikaze raids of Gary Jack and the mesmerising hands of Gary Belcher.
Not until Darren Lockyer has a player possessed such a diverse range of skills and athletic power synonymous with multiple key positions.
Australia’s most capped Test star dominated from fullback for five years until 2003, before doing the same in the halves for another eight. In 59 Tests the Queenslander twice claimed the Golden Boot for international player of the year – remarkably, once from each position.
He raised the bar in both positions, trail-blazing what is now a recurring theme where ball players blessed with speed and vision are readily interchangeable between the two positions.
High flyers Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Ben Barba and Jarryd Hayne have all covered five-eighth. For the new generation led by Milford, Morgan, Gareth Widdop, and Corey Norman the transformation fits like a glove.
Interestingly, the perceived demise of traditional ball-playing halves has been a hot topic, particularly in New South Wales where experts blame inadequate junior programs.
Yet the same programs have unearthed an abundance of fullback talent not only blessed with pace and power but creativity to dominate key frontline positions.
Even a couple of old dogs with expanded attacking repertoires have kept pace with the younger brigade.
With many years under Lockyer at representative level, it’s little wonder Billy Slater is now considered the best fullback of all time. The Storm veteran not only sits second on the premiership try-scoring list but in recent seasons has added try-provider to an exhaustive bag of tricks.
Yapping at Slater’s heels for tries scored, Brett Stewart has similarly adapted into a quality all-rounder. The Sea Eagle finished second to Johnathan Thurston for try-assists in 2014 and is now touted as a possible five-eighth replacement for Kieran Foran in 2016.
The diversification of skills means traditional halves combinations are on the slippery slope to park footy. The selection of two playmakers with limited line breaking ability is harder on the nose than Sam Burgess at a Bath rugby convention.
It’s why Cronulla recruit Chad Townsend would be a surprise selection in combination with James Maloney. In would-be fullback Jack Bird, coach Shane Flanagan has a tackle busting five-eighth with the frontline nous to compliment Valentine Holmes’ strike from the back.
Peter Wallace is in the same boat. Once again the former Bronco faces Anthony Griffin’s axe. Matt Moylan’s transfer would ignite the Panthers’ halves and unlock the dynamic skills of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak through the back field.
In essence, pacey ball players are serving fullback apprenticeships before striking from centre stage.
Rugby league’s spine is now bigger. The spur growing mid-ship is a proven winner and coaches missing the boarding call risk sailing a course wide of the finals.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Pretty sure Griffen would've had a good look in the mirror during his time off and will use a different approach. Plenty of attacking flair in the Panthers forwards and backs not to make the same mistakes.
Bugs
Guest
I'm still not convinced Griffin will make a good coach. Far too conservative, sticking with old and not introducing new and good. His preference for Wallace, who was poor all of 2012 & 2013 over Hunt went on about 15 months too long. His preference for Prince over Norman in 2013 shouldn't have lasted more than 4 weeks. His inability to see that Jake Granville was worth a shot is astounding I hope for his and the Panthers sake you are right about him.
Jay C
Roar Guru
My issue with Norman has always been his vision. He had skills to parallel any half in the comp but he constantly made the wrong decisions at Brisbane. If there was an overlap he would dummy sorry of thing. Over and over again i saw it. Hunt should have been 7 for a couple years. Norman should probably have been given more time at 6. Griffin will probably be a good coach one day. He made alot of errors around selection, recruitment and interchange. My guess is Gus wanted more control. Figured he could get it with a rookie who needs to prove himself. Can't see the Panthers figuring in much this year. At the end of the day the Broncos are better off now anyway. Milf is great and we wouldn't have gotten Master Wayne back if griffin had done just a little better.
Bugs
Guest
Correct about Norman. He and Ben Hunt were the two to choose from to take Lockyer's vacated 5/8 spot after 2011. Norman won (much to my displeasure at the time). Had all of 2012 in the gig beside Wallace who he outshined in EVERY stat, yet the following year when we snagged Prince they moved him to fullback so they could have Prince and Wallace as halves. What a disaster. Norman played the FB posi well, but just wanted to play 5/8, so signed mid year with the Eels. In 2014 we got Barba, who replaced the outed Wallace, Prince and Norman. Griffin played him at FB, and he didn't sign another half as he thought Milford was coming. So he tried to manufacture Hoffman into a 5/8, beside Benny Hunt who finally got first crack (apart from final 6 weeks in 2013) Wasted years. Part way through 2012 it should have been Hunt and Norman as our starting halves, but instead we lost one, and had to poach Milford to take Norman's rightful spot. Not sure what Gus Gould sees in Griffin...he made some colossal mistakes...
Albo
Guest
Spot on Squidward ! Holmes is the obvious choice as a brilliant fullback for the Sharks. Bird is a backrower ! I would play him at lock and keep developing his ball playing skills to match his enthusiasm and high work rate.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Wasn't Norman around in 2010/11 and supposed to learn from Lockyer but was dropped for Hoffman after some poor performances? Then in 2012 he got first crack and Brisbane won something like 10 of their first 12 matches but fell apart. He didnt get shafted to fullback until mid 2013 or something didn't he?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
G'day Cedric. For what it's worth, I reckon Sheck should remain at the back. Starting at a new club will be a big enough challenge. It will be fascinating to see if he has the same impact at the Warriors. I worry the often heavier tracks in NZ might nullify his brilliance, much like it did in the recent Test series in the UK. Plus Johnson's pace at half means McFadden can afford to partner him with a less flashy traditional playmaker to concentrate on getting them around the paddock.
cedric
Guest
hmmm, very interesting, I couldn't believe it when Lockyer was moved to 5/8. I thought is this madness, but as J. Murphy alluded to earlier alot of good footballers have played their early footy in the halves. I started to think that perhaps Sheck might go alright at 5/8, as it is difficult for fullbacks when so much energy is used to bring the ball back against a wall of 6 or 8 players. Maybe Shecks sideways dissappearing acts would be best suited to the front line one on one situations than the 6 or 8 man wall. I do now think Sheck, Moylan, Holmes and the Tedesco likes are a bit wasted at times out the back, one on one these guys are lethal! I would think anyone with pace can run off Johnson and Sheck would be wasted just to have him running off Johnson and returning the footy. Maybe a season to settle in first? Nah bugger it who have the Warriors got as 5/8 Luelawai or Robson! I'm not sure if McFadden has that much confidence in himself to make such a big call?
Bearfax
Guest
He was a fine hard running full back. I remember him. But sorry he didnt have anywhere near Eadie's power running. He ran strongly but didnt use his size quite as dynamically, which is why Langlands tended to play full back in most 60s tests. Langlands was a different type of full back, a little in the mold of Slater and Brett Stewart. Very fast and evasive. Ken Thornett was only the third rated full back in those days behind Langlands and Johns. Even Keith Barnes played more tests. And one can compare Eadie's 71 tries in 237 games to Thornett's 17 in 129 games to get a sense who was the better attacking force.
Tripehound
Guest
They're strong mate. First choice is Daryl Clark who had his first season with the Wire in 2015 after transferring from Castleford, where he won the man of steel in 2014. He seemed to struggle to fit in at Warrington last year and couldn't find any real consistency but I would expect him to come out all guns firing this time. They also have a really good young hooker in Brad Dwyer, who very often gets a place on their bench, this kid really offers some great attacking options when he gets on the field and I think has a big future ahead of him. The hooking position is very strong at the majority of clubs in Super League and I would imagine most clubs starting 9 would do well in the NRL (bit off subject I know).
Jason Hosken
Guest
Thanks and likewise TH. May Saints bring you plenty of cheer. Im not sure where Gidley is best positioned these days. His last couple of years have been below his best and error prone at crucial times. From what you say, fullback may be best. He's still a good competitor though...how are the Wolves placed at hooker?
coasty
Guest
Cannot agree. Ken Thornett , about 1963 Kangaroo series fullback had a massive power running game. He was a dynamic tackler and he played at around 95kg+ which was a big back at that time . A great league player who came back from the UK in his mid 20s to play at fullback in a Test backline team along with the likes of Gasnier, Langlands,Irvine,King.
Tripehound
Guest
Hello Jas, happy new year pal. Yes it appears to have been the zeitgeist for a good few years now with Sam Tomkins being the most high profile convert to the number 1 jumper. Jonny Lomax of St Helens is another former half that's moved to full back but he's been devastated with serious injuries the last couple of seasons so we are all hopeful that 2016 will see him return and reach his undoubted potential. Another bloke who has landed at full back after being used as a utility player is Stefan Ratchford at Warrington and this is a player I rate extremely highly. I understand he will be primarily used as a stand off this season and for my money this is definitely his best position. Although for some the utility tag can mean regular first team selection for many other players I think it stifles their development and would include Ratchford in this bracket. Should he remain at 6 for the whole season I would expect him to be challenging for an England shirt come the four nations. It so happens that Warrington have signed one of the best known utility players for this season in Kurt Gidley and I personally found this to be a strange recruitment. I'm not too sure if he will play in a fixed position this year or if he will continue in his utility role, but would think that he'll start at full back, having said that I understand they used him in the halves in the friendly they played against Widnes over the Christmas holiday.
Muzz
Guest
700k a year to play on the wing?
Gazzatron
Guest
I'm with ya Jackson (great name btw as it's my last name) Dugan would be an awesome winger. I'd say a slightly smaller but more far more skilled Manu Vatuvei.
Bearfax
Guest
Yeh the Parra 81-83 backline was certainly up there with the very best backlines. Of course Manly in 72 had a pretty decent side with Eadie, Irvine, Fulton, Branghan, Brown, Martin and Ward. And what of St George in the mid 60s, with Langlands, Gasnier, Smith, Clay, King, Lumsden etc. And for awsome packs what about Souths 1971 forward line up: Sattler, Piggins, O'Neille, McCarthy, Stevens and Coote...that was one brilliant pack.
Jason Hosken
Guest
G'day TH, is the interchange of players from fullback to the halves as prominent in Super League? Sam Tomkins are likely candidate.
Jason Hosken
Guest
I reckon Parra fielded the best ever club backline from 81-83. Pretty sure Marty Gurr played fullback in the Origin side that otherwise fielded an all Eel backline meaning Paul Taylor was well down the order. His best hope would have been via the bench as a utility.
Sanka
Guest
The great Parramatta Eels team from the late 70's through to 1986 had a State of Origin rep player in every position... Except Full Back. Would Paul Taylor have played SOO if Garry Jack and Mick Potter weren't available ?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Fairdinkum, JH! The only magic DeVere moment I can recall involved a staple gun :)