In my last post I highlighted the selection headache Brad Fittler has in his five-eighth selection, now we go to another position which NSW has talent in bucketloads — fullback.
Whilst most will assume the starting 1 spot is locked up by incumbent James Tedesco and rightly so, the talent available to Freddy is mind-boggling.
Let’s start this delve into this fullback talent pool with Manly’s injury-prone superstar, Tom Trbojevic.
Tommy Turbo is an out-and-out star when he is healthy, producing outstanding results for his beloved Sea Eagles and updating highlight reels with both his incredible offensive and defensive efforts.
Turbo is also an imposing figure standing at 193 cm, he dominates the manly skyline. During his time playing for NSW, he has five tries from five games, only losing one of those matches.
Trbojevic has many fans scratching their heads not about his inclusion in the squad but where he will star. Wherever he is selected, Tom Trbojevic guarantees an incredible work rate and true passion, something that NSW missed last year.
Next up in the NSW fullback jewels is a man who was exiled from the squad after Game 1 in 2019, Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
The former Roosters star centre is on course for a potential return to the blue jersey with some stellar performances so far (five tries and six try assists to start the year), though the controversial Mitchell has also served a multitude of matches from the sideline thanks to a high and late shot on Tigers winger David Nofoaluma.
One of Mitchell’s redeeming features is his passion, however, this can often result in brain snaps.
If Latrell is picked his return to the Blues will be in a centre spot and Fittler will have to ensure Mitchell keeps his head and plays his best footy, which can break games open in an instant.
Moving onto the fourth fullback all-star for Fittler and his Blues squad, the former touch football sensation turned Melbourne Storm’s next electric fullback, Ryan Papenhuyzen.
A player who understands his assignment and knows the exact right place to be at the right time with his incredible rugby league-best support play.
Papenhuyzens’ incredible speed is another defining piece of his play, being able to burn off opponents left and right and terrorising defences league round.
Lil Papi’s game-breaking ability is almost certainly on Freddy’s radar and many expect the mulleted man to grab that 14 jersey with both hands and provide something extra special off of the bench.
Another fullback who is in contention for at the very least a squad spot is Parramatta Eels icon Clinton Gutherson.
The reigning Dally M fullback of the year debuted for NSW last year in the right centre role and had a total of three try assists over the series, while also filling into the fullback role when Tedesco failed his HIA in Game 3.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
King Gutho has had another solid season with the effort-based fullback having seven tries and seven try assists over nine games.
Many will remember Kurt Capewell’s fend on Gutho leading to a try, however, starting out of position was also bound to offer defensive difficulties.
Whether Gutho claims that centre spot again or the 14 jersey, he will bring his workman-like behaviour to the Origin arena no matter where he’s selected.
Finally, the incumbent and brilliant NSW number 1, James Tedesco.
Teddy has had another stellar start of a campaign with seven tries and three try assists in his eight games.
There really isn’t an argument against Tedesco to be the Blues starting fullback, he has done it all before and his big-game experience is crucial to the Blues success.
His link-up play with hooker Damien Cook is next level and Teddy’s superb defensive efforts have won NSW as many games as his attacking efforts have.
An incredibly gifted player and one of the top three players in the rugby league world, James Tedesco is the first name on the team sheet.
So, while the number 1 spot should be a certain lock, how Freddy picks his remaining backline spots will certainly be interesting and don’t be surprised if you see more than one of these NSW fullbacks in the squad.
Joey
Guest
Freddy, just stop it. Just stop with playing players out of position. Why not make each Blues jersey a reward for the best in the State. Not sure how old the saying is, that a champion team will always beat a team of champions. Although it’s like he’s never heard that one.
Paul
Roar Guru
You've summed it up nicely when you said "most fullbacks are capable of playing across the back 5 with varying degrees of success". I completely agree because the skillsets are similar. That means when Freddy sits down to decide his squad, he needs to look at whether a guy like Crichton, for example, is currently in better form in the centre role than Latrell Mitchell, ditto for Lomax against Turbo Tom. If he thinks Mitchell & Tom are better options than Lomax or Crichton, they should be chosen to play as centres. I agree too that RL is more generic in terms of skills than cricket but I'm not sure the skillset for a front rower is generic compared to a winger or fullback, for example? There's still plenty of speciality in League, just not as much as cricket.
Nat
Roar Guru
While Walker is left right out.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Ha, I’ve often wonder if someone will try something like that formation stuff, I never thought about split centers happening. Two fullbacks either side, teddy and turbo ready to spring. Lol
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
People keep comparing RL team selection to cricket, its just not the same. Cricket requires more specialist skillsets (either bat, bowl, wicket keeping - with a base in being able to catch a ball and desirably being capable in another skillset) in order to field an appropriate 11. In RL, you need to field 13, and of that 13 very little is specialist. Most fullbacks are capable of playing across the back 5 (to varying degrees of success), most forwards can play anywhere in the pack, most halves can play five eighth or hooker and vice versa, most hookers can play as a small forward, some centres are capable in the back row, some wingers are capable at centre and vice versa. Most players have played many positions in their careers, be it in Junior Reps, Reserves, First Grade or Rep. Apart from playmaking abilities, the skillset of a rugby league player is pretty much universal.
astro
Roar Rookie
Crichton is a fair enough call on form and as a specialised centre, but think you're being harsh on Mitchell. You could find examples of 'laziness' on individual plays from almost every player in the comp, and as for his dumping from the team in 2019, isn't there a chance he's improved since then, and or changed his attitude? He is clearly happier at Souths now and if anything has shown real signs of being a leader (eg. the Indigenous team) which he didnt previously. In my view, he's earned a recall, but if Crichton gets the nod, that's probably fair enough.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Jeez I like that Albo. Who knows what they’ll pick though
The Barry
Roar Guru
By far the bigger issue...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Playing at 9 or 13 in the last 15 minutes of each half If the back 5 looks like Teddy, Turbo, Tupou, Crichton plus whoever, there are so many great set starters among that lot that you can carry four running forwards and Papenhuyzen as the pack He’d be a freak lurking around the ruck waiting for opportunities to run off an offload or get into dummy half Between he and Teddy they’d cover 6, 7 or 9 in the event of an injury or HIA Three forwards on the bench means you have eight players to cover 400 minutes for the five running forwards, meaning they can average 50 minutes each
Phil
Roar Rookie
As for I would have ahead of him. If you are referring to a centre spot, Stephen Crichton.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Refer to my post above, 2nd and 3rd sentences for evidence. Freddy sacked him because he didn't give enough effort to help his team. Where his team mates sprinted downfield chasing a kick, Latrell ambled down at leisure in one instance Freddy showed. In a recent game, against Brisbane I think it was, a wide shot showed Latrell dawdling across in cover when Brisbane was attacking close to the line whereas his teammates showed more urgency. Lazy play, selfish play. Giving the Tigers winger a backhander because it made him feel good was a very selfish act for which he and his team are now paying the price. A team first, me second type of player would have let the Nofoaluma incident go to help his team. Latrell is a gifted player, highly talented, brilliant on his day, but not a good team man.
astro
Roar Rookie
I don't know how you can draw the conclusion that Mitchell is "not a good team man" or "not committed enough". What evidence do you have for this? Mitchell has 13 Dally M points despite not playing recently because of suspension. That's good for 3rd on the list ahead of Papenhuyzen, who's been brilliant. Souths were 6-1 before he was suspended, so his form is excellent, and he's one of the few proven centres NSW have. Who would you have ahead of him?
Jak
Guest
You don't fit 5 in at all. You put Turbo at fullback and be done with it.
Paul
Roar Guru
Yep, Turbo's at centre half forward, Teddy's at full forward, Pappy's roving, as is King Gutho and Mitchell's at centre half back! :happy:
Paul
Roar Guru
Reading some of the other comments, more than a few were trying to fit at least 4 into the mix. I apologise too, Angus. I forgot to say in my earlier comments, what a good first up article you put together. Hopefully you'll find the inspiration to throw in some more pieces down the track.
Angus Nicholls
Roar Rookie
And that's how you'd manage your 5 fullbacks! It isn't about choosing all 5 but which of the five he picks. However some may find a way to sneak all five into their starting lineup!
Paul
Roar Guru
Yep, silly me, makes sense to have 5 fast bowlers, a spinner 3 keepers and 2 batsmen, just as does playing 5 fullbacks
Angus Nicholls
Roar Rookie
Loving all the discussion guys, have you got your answer as to how you fit 5 All-Star Fullbacks into one team?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Assuming all contenders are available in 3 weeks time I would only be interested in two of the fullbacks Teddy & Turbo, if I was a NSW selector. Some consideration might be given to Papenhuyzen on the bench ? I would be more focused on getting the pack & bench right and with a focus on mobility. For what its worth, my early forecast for a NSW lineup : 1. Teddy 2. Tupuo 3. Turbo 4. Jack Wighton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Luai 7. Cleary 8. Haas 9. Cook 10 Campbell-Gillard 11. Angus Crichton 12. Frizell 13 Yeo 14. Murray 15 D Saifiti 16. M Barnett 17 Liam Martin
Albo
Roar Rookie
Spot on Nat ! Get the forwards right and the backs will take care of themselves !