First things first: the purpose of this piece is not to denigrate Dylan Edwards.
As someone with the physique of Mark Tookey, the composure of Paul Carige and the charisma of Martin Bella, Edwards’ 78 NRL appearances are 78 more than I had any hope of ever making.
He seems like a good bloke, and is evidently a good player. Edwards has triumphed in three-quarters of his first-grade games — and teams who taste that much success can’t carry a passenger in the number one jersey.
It’s also unfair to judge him so soon after he miscalculated Mitchell Moses’ towering bomb in Penrith’s epic semi-final defeat of Parramatta, which deserves to be filed as ‘one of those things’ rather than ‘career-defining blunder’.
Instead, the purpose of this article is to pose a simple question: how many clubs would trade their first-choice fullback for Penrith’s number one?
I reckon the answer is zero, or possibly one, once you reach the very bottom of the ladder.
The five teams alongside Penrith in the top six wouldn’t dream of it.
The Storm (Ryan Papenhuyzen), Rabbitohs (Latrell Mitchell), Sea Eagles (Tom Trbojevic), Roosters (James Tedesco) and Eels (Clint Gutherson) all have their fullbacks under lock and key. Their ladder positions are no coincidence.
You can throw Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga into that group as well.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
On the fringe of the top eight, Gold Coast (AJ Brimson) and Cronulla (Will Kennedy) both boast exciting fullbacks that are establishing themselves among the elite.
The Sharks also welcome Nicho Hynes into their dressing room next year, although he looks likely to shuffle into the halves.
Canberra have an excellent number one in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, followed by five clubs with promising rookies on their books: Tyrell Sloan at the Dragons, Reece Walsh at the Warriors, Daine Laurie at the Tigers, Tesi Niu at the Broncos and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at the Cowboys.
Now, to be clear, I’m not suggesting these five are necessarily better than Edwards right now, or even that they will eventually reach his level.
I am saying that these five clubs would probably prefer to continue investing in youngsters with a higher potential ceiling rather than settle for Penrith’s known quantity.
At the foot of the table, Canterbury have recruited Matt Dufty for the 2022 season. The ex-Dragon isn’t perfect, sure, but there no doubting his potency with the ball in hand — a facet lacking from Edwards’ game.
If I was Trent Barrett, I’d be happy with my new signing over Edwards. But if indignant Panthers fans mount a compelling argument in the comments, I won’t offer much resistance.
Of the 15 rival NRL teams, I’m not sure even one would swap their fullback for Penrith’s.
And in a competition where the ladder sits in order of elite fullbacks at the top, emerging ones in the middle and exciting youngsters down the bottom, Edwards is an anomaly.
When he’s not having to face spiralling Mitchell bombs in greasy North Queensland conditions, Edwards is usually solid.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
He’s run an average of 191 metres per game this year, including a team-high 229 in the semi-final against the Eels. That’s more than James Tedesco (184), Clint Gutherson (170) and Mitchell (141), for reference.
The issue isn’t too much bad stuff, it’s a lack of good stuff — especially when the teams standing between the Panthers and the premiership enjoy superstar fullbacks who consistently produce great stuff.
Edwards has scored just five tries, assisted four and broken the line five times in 19 games this season for a side that strutted into the second spot.
By comparison, Daine Laurie — who Penrith released to the Tigers in favour of Edwards — tallied seven tries, eight assists and nine line breaks in the same number of appearances behind a badly-beaten team at the other end of the ladder.
Maybe Edwards will collect the first hat trick of his career on Saturday against the Storm, or bob up on both sides of the field to tee up try after try for his wingers.
He could command the Clive Churchill Medal for his starring role in the grand final a week later, as Penrith convert two years of home-and-away dominance into the ultimate prize.
If they don’t, though, Ivan Cleary’s post mortem might begin with the first name on his team sheet.
Either that or more Wayne Bennett refereeing conspiracies.
Paul
Guest
He’s a little taller than Papenhuyzen & heavier than him. West’s weren’t too keen on the small Papenhuyzen at fullback either . You know Papenhuyzen. He rips South’s another one too , every time they play against the Storm. You’re talking about Staines playing on the wing. It’s quite a different story , playing from fullback. I take your point about size , overall. However, one off season in the centre of excellence & just 8 kilos on , would make him 95 kilos. That’s big for someone of 183cm’s. Also, he wasn’t fullback of the year in lower grades for nothing.
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
Nat says, “Don’t start with the excuses”, and then u proceed with the pre-empted excuses. Using your painfully repetitive vernacular, I’d call that “gold”.
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
And what Klein misses, Atkins will cover for in the bunker, so there is zero possibility of anything going the Rabbitohs way. They will have to make sure they turn in a performance that takes this game out of the hands of the officials. As for the last time the Broncos lifted the trophy... I think Wayne Bennett had a full head of hair then along with Darren Lockyer (before it grew back magically), and yes, it will be 15 years this year old mate. :stoked: :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
I think it was a cup last time the Broncos lifted it! :laughing: Don't start with the excuses, you've been kissed on the D to face Manly instead of the teams that have put 50 on your boys already this year! Klein is an equal opportunity clutz, it could go either way.
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
This isn't horse racing or soccer Nat. You can have the cup and drink to Souths success in 2021 when they lift the Provan-Summons Trophy. Provided that Souths can get past Ivan Cleary's mates (Referee: Ashley Klein, Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins) in the prelim final.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yep but that's rearview now. A good #7 and the Broncos boys are coming for the cup!! :laughing:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
"next year your little ‘home growns’ will be playing against men" So like the Broncos for the last 3 years then? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
You got one game to do something this year mate, next year your little 'home growns' will be playing against men. 20mins doesn't make an NRL player. Never mind, when Reyno is holding up the trophy in Broncos colours, you boys can come shopping for our reserve garders again. :thumbup:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
Reyno will get his second premiership this year, Nat. He already has his big fat Broncos retirement pension and opportunity to retire in the covid-19 free Sunshine state all lined up. Souths will do very well with young guns Blake Taaffe, Lachlan Ilias and Peter Mamouzelos for a combined quarter of Reynolds' price tag. Remember what it was like Nat when the Broncos used to produce their own talent? Reynolds and Capewell alone won't be enough to reverse the Broncos' fortunes next year, Nat. Perhaps if they signed either Turbo or Sam Walker and Reece Walsh in a package deal and rolled out the red carpet for Bennett to return to Red Hill, they might have a shot at making the top 8. Even the Bulldogs have recruited better than the Broncos. Only Souths have been shortchanged trading in Reynolds, Gagai and Su'A for Anthony Milford who has had his promising career ruined at the Broncos. Still, Miford showed promising signs at the end of the Broncos season, only to torpedo his hopes at the Bunnies in the last week. With any luck, he will be allowed out on day release to play for the Rabbitohs next year. :laughing: :thumbup:
Nat
Roar Guru
The shopping is done Paps. We got who we wanted! :laughing: :laughing: How's Su'A, Jet, Mago and Moga? Tearing it up I see. Trade you for one Reynolds? Oops... :laughing: :laughing:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
Staines plays like he's 70Kgs wringing-wet, Paul. He was ragdolled by the Bunnies, and he looks like a kid who is backing up a couple of grades in junior football. I don't question his talent, but he needs to bulk up to be more competitive. Just like the Dragons' Cody Ramsey. Only Reece Walsh, Sam Walker and Jayden Campbell seem capable of holding their own playing at that weight.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I thought the question only applied to mere mortal fullbacks not Tom
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
And yet you wouldn't swap Turbo for any other FB in the competition, including Teddy, I would imagine Tom. :silly:
The Final Word
Roar Rookie
Who wouldn't you have at the Broncos tomorrow, Nat? That would be a very long shopping list, I would imagine. :laughing:
Ian Nacho
Roar Rookie
I agree with you — I wouldn't categorise Gutherson with those elite fullbacks, and he's one reason Parramatta have struggled to take those final steps. Parra are clearly all in on him, though, to speak to the theme of the article.
Onya.
Guest
DWZ can run the ball back hard. He’s still not the fastest around. Watched him being run around on the wing & at fullback multiple times. You need a fullback now who can break the line with pace & skill. I think given a bit of time, Staines could be that player. Just my opinion of course.
fan(lun)atic71
Roar Rookie
I can't argue with your summation of Edwards, I did wonder they let go DWZ in favour of Edwards though - probably a money thing. Maybe that's it; he's demands a modest salary. I'd have Walsh over him every day of the week.
Onya.
Guest
I’m saying, that Gutherson & Edwards aren’t your Turbo, Tedesco, Ponga or a few others , as far as fullbacks are concerned. They can both be fragile under pressure & aren’t going to win you the big games with some fantastic play that they initiate. I’ve watched Parramatta fall short for a few years now & can see that’s a fact. Ditto for Edwards for a couple of years.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Not sure where I'd go with that. Gutherson isn't quite at the Teddy or Turbo level for breaking a game open but he'd stand easily with anyone else in the comp. There's no aspects to his game that I would say he is deficient in. Ultimately I doubt Parra or Penrith would swap their number 1s for anyone apart from the Roosters or Manly fullbacks.
Onya.
Guest
I wonder what you think of Gutherson? He’s a similar style of player to Edwards. Maybe does a bit more. Is it that Parramatta have Gutherson & Penrith have Edwards , that stops them taking that final step in the finals? They may be good fullbacks, but just can’t produce that something special to Win you games.