Following Billy Slater’s retirement, the Melbourne Storm fullback position is up for grabs in 2019.
There will never another Slater, but Craig Bellamy does have three capable successors at his disposal.
1. Jahrome Hughes
Hughes is arguably the frontrunner after filling in for an injured Slater on five occasions in 2017.
He boasts a strong running game, averaging 145 running metres and four tackle busts across those five matches.
Hughes showed his versatility by playing an additional six games in the halves last season, although this is unlikely to happen in Round 1 with Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft virtually locked in.
Time will tell whether Hughes has the intangibles to fill Billy Slater’s shoes. Though his running game and ball-playing skills are satisfactory, Hughes’ defensive abilities and positional play will be under the microscope.
With Scott Drinkwater breathing down his neck, the position is far from secured.
2. Scott Drinkwater
Drinkwater is the most intriguing option of the three. After an outstanding season in the Queensland Cup where he was named fullback of the year, Bellamy rewarded Drinkwater with a debut in Round 25.
Drinkwater was named at fullback ahead of Hughes in this game, but this was likely due to the lack of depth Bellamy had in the halves. Both Munster and Croft were out injured for this game, with Bellamy calling upon Hughes’ versatility as a result.
Drinkwater was impressive on debut, scoring a try and running for 146 metres. His Queensland Cup statistics are quite eye-popping, suggesting that he is ready for first grade action.
In 22 games Drinkwater had 17 tries, 24 try assists and 22 linebreak assists in addition to averages of 133 metres and seven tackle busts per game.
For the NRL fantasy tragics out there, this translates to an average of 57 fantasy points per game. Drinkwater will likely join the fantasy elite when he eventually strings together a consistent run of first grade games.
Scott Drinkwater. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
3. Cameron Munster
Munster is mentioned here out of respect for his past performances at fullback. After Billy Slater suffered season-ending injuries early in 2015 and 2016, Munster seized the opportunity and proved to be a capable custodian.
He went on to start at fullback in Melbourne’s 2016 grand final loss to the Sharks.
However, he has started just three games at fullback since then. With Billy Slater returning to fitness, Munster was shifted to five-eighth in 2017 and has excelled ever since.
Even with Slater missing several games last season, Bellamy preferred to leave Munster in his new position.
Munster is now a Queensland representative Five-Eighth and the reigning Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year.
Furthermore, Ryley Jacks has left Melbourne for the Gold Coast Titans. The Storm are therefore lacking depth in the halves and it would be very surprising to see Bellamy move Munster.
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Peter Piper
Guest
Posters on the Roar have been predicting the demise of Melbourne for a decade now. We are still waiting.
Lemuel Dom
Guest
They should try Justin Olam. He played really well from the back in the PNG vs Fiji Pacific Test in May.
Rob
Guest
Unfortunately you can’t replace Billy. Without Cronk and Billy, Smithy and Munster will struggle to finish top 4 IMO.
Matt
Guest
There's one more option that nobody's mentioned - Ryan Papenhuyzen. He's a realistic option.
thomas c
Guest
They did signal a willingness to try things out. But having question marks over 2 spots seems a bad idea. I'd treat it in terms of what are they more uncertain about. The worst case is they finish the year having shifted players around (possible with injury playing a factor), don't establish stability in the spine, and are still having this conversation in 12 months. If smith and Munster play well, then maybe whoever gets the initial nod will have some grace to grow into the role. You don't easily replace Cronk and Slater.
thomas c
Guest
Last year, they created an amount of uncertainty around halfback. Drinkwater looked good, but if they continue an experimental approach (as opposed to pick and stick), you could see them take an entire year without really sorting out the issue. If croft has a few bad weeks (or gets injured), then maybe Hughes is back in at 7.
M
Guest
Will not be as big an issue as everyone makes out. Playing fullback for Melbourne is, IMO , the easiest fullback job in the comp.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Drinkwater looked good in the game he played. Plenty of options for Bellamy.
Phil
Roar Rookie
You make some good points re the fullback position. Billy was in a class of his own being able to do the extras you mention and it will be a big ask to expect his replacement to do the same. If the new FB has learnt from Billy he will develop into the role. Slater is second to the best FB I have ever seen so IMO he will take some replacing. As for Addo-Carr, there could be no harm done giving him a trial at FB but he is a top class winger so it may be best to leave him where he is considering Hughes and Drinkwater are the two favourites for the No1.
Paul
Roar Guru
What aspect(s) of Billy's game will the next number 1 replace? If it's only the traditional fullback duties, then either Hughes or Drinkwater could take on this roll. But what about organising the defence, playing second five-eight on occasion, etc. I don't thinkit will quite as easy as another guy strapping on the Storm number 1 jumper. I also wonder if they'll give Atto-Carr a run there, in a trial maybe?
Peter Piper
Guest
Munster going to fullback is just noise. Bellamy would only do that if he was in a hole at FB and the master coach has known that Slater would be going for a while. He seems to have youngsters as back-ups for most of the important spots.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Whoever gets the job will have big boots to fill following a once in a generation player in Slater. Having said that, Drinkwater impressed me on his debut looking more a natural fullback than the highly talented Hughes who I've only seen a few times at the back. Bellamy will pick the best person I have no doubt afterall it's his opinion that counts. I just hope whoever it is doesn't cop too much from the media and fans for making mistakes which will happen. As for Munster he looks a certainty for No6. He said in an interview he could lose his QLD and AUS if he makes the switch.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
I think 2018 showed that for the Storm, its not an either/or question. The Storm played 2018 without a dedicated half back, and I'd argue that its more important to have a dedicated half than fullback. I wouldn't be surprised to see a mix of both players through 2019, and not until October will we see a final player stand up alone.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
They can't go too far wrong with either option (Drinkwater or Hughes). We're not deciding between Scott Mahon and Andrew Fitzhenry here. It gives Bellamy great leverage to put some pressure on the two players to compete for the number 1 jersey and get the best out of both through the pre-season.
James T
Guest
Bellamy has more options at the back than in the halves so Munster will stay put. Bellamy will find a spot for Hughes somewhere so I expect he’ll get the not. Just trying to think of who will play fullback for qld now ponga has moved to 6. If no one plays out of position can only think of Barba and mybe.
Peter Piper
Guest
Wow a great article and Shaun Johnson wasn't mentioned once. For mine, its Hughes that gets the full back spot. I am sure that Bellamy will find an opportunity somewhere for Scott in 2019.