He’ll have the incumbent Rookie of the Year and a former Dally M winner to contend with, but Valentine Holmes is the man to fill the fullback void left at the Sharks by Michael Gordon last year.
The Townsville-born winger burst onto the scene in 2015 and enjoyed a stellar season, scoring 16 tries (the most in a single season for the Sharks since 2005) and 11 goals.
Holmes also kicked three decisive field goals in win-or-lose situations. His explosive pace, confidence under the high ball, agility and inherent ability to influence a game with clutch plays saw him nominated for Dally M winger of the year, and will again be paramount to the Sharks this season, as they continue to build towards an elusive first premiership.
With the departure of Gordon to the Parramatta Eels, eighth Immortal Andrew Johns is certain Holmes will be making the switch to the custodian role.
“When Valentine Holmes goes to fullback next year you are going to see an absolute superstar of our game,” said Johns last season.
“He is freakish.”
Holmes’ time at fullback in 2015 was only short-lived, consisting of brief bouts at the back interspersed with Gordon and Ben Barba. Nevertheless, he displayed enough flair in the No.1 jersey to suggest a permanent switch, a testament to the innate talent the 20-year-old possesses.
Now, one year later, the Junior Kangaroos and Queensland representative says he’s had enough of sharing.
“I like playing fullback, and it is my preference,” Holmes told The Daily Telegraph.
“It’s a lot tougher than the wing, and you need to be fitter and around the ball more, and controlling the forwards in defence. Telling the likes of Paul Gallen and Mick Ennis where to go can be intimidating because I’m only young, and you don’t want to sound bossy, but that’s your job and you have to do it.”
“It’s a big challenge but I’m happy to step up and try to take it.”
Standing in Holmes’ way, however, are two players with their own respective credentials: Jack Bird (2015 Dally M Rookie of the Year) and Ben Barba (2012 Dally M Player of the Year). Both men can stake convincing claims for their shot at the number one jersey.
Bird looks unlikely to retain the five-eighth role he cemented in 2015. The arrival of James Maloney and Chad Townsend are an unfair reward given his brilliant debut season. As such, the NSW Country representative will be looking to secure an alternative position in the Sharks’ backline.
Bird fears no opponent and boasts a potent running game, which, alongside his ballplaying experience derived in the halves, would serve him well in the custodian role.
Barba, on the other hand, poses somewhat of a different skillset. The diminutive player still offers a sharp turn of pace and strong evasive skills, though this is not to the extent that saw him crowned Player of the Year.
Now a far cry from the electrifying livewire of 2012, rib and ankle injuries have restricted Barba’s ability to emulate past achievements, which ultimately led to his omission from Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane Broncos. Bennett couldn’t guarantee Barba a place on the bench, let alone in the starting side – a precedent Sharks coach Shane Flanagan may be foolish to ignore.
What Barba does bring to the side is unpredictability, the potential to emerge from the shadows and provide an injection of energy in the form of a run, pass, chip kick or grubber. It appears he also carries the support of Sharks hooker Michael Ennis, who was full of praise for Barba when speaking to NRL.com last month.
“My memories of Ben at fullback are as good as it gets. He’s dynamite at the back when he’s fully fit and at the moment he is so we just have to keep him like that.”
“…I think he’s ready now to really grasp that No. 1 so we’ll see how he goes.”
With the Auckland Nines set to take place in early February, all three contenders will be vying to impress at the back, as they each look to make the custodian role their own. Both Bird and Barba hold convincing cases for a shot at the back, but Valentine Holmes – with his pure speed, fleet-footedness, aerial ability and go-to status in make-or-break moments – is the number one choice for Sharks fullback in 2016.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Why are NSW people always so desperate to prove that they “get” Origin, and that Origin means as much south of the Tweed as…
Over the years I’ve heard all the excuses about lack of investment or interest in women’s sport. But the reality is, that the hard…
We're at the point in the season when just about every tipster could do with a magic trick or two. Magic Round in Brisbane…
Perceptions can be hard for rugby league players to shake but it’s not impossible. David Fifita is the latest NRL star who needs an…
Here's everything you need to know about Women's State of Origin 2022 - from the kick-off time to how to watch and where it will be won.
Gold Coast forward David Fifita has backflipped on his decision to join the Roosters on a four-year deal to remain at the Titans in…
