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Opinion
With the 2023 NRL season kick-off looming closer, The Roar is counting down until the footy starts with a ranking of each position on the field.
Not just who had a great 2022, but those that are the best in their role as we gear up for the new season.
We are kicking off the series with arguably one of the most important roles in the footy team – Fullback.
It was hard to fathom how there was noise about him not being the Kangaroos’ number one.
After six seasons at the Tigers, Teddy has cemented his spot as one of the greats since his move to Bondi in 2014.
Still one of the top players in any position, Teddy scored thirteen tries, had a hand in another 16, and averaged 184 running metres as well six tackle breaks and 34 offloads during his 24 games in 2022.
Sometimes you would swear there were three of him out on the field. The Dally M Fullback of the Year just seemed to be everywhere, in everything, and lead from the front while killing it out the back, in both attack and defence.
An Origin veteran. A Kangaroo champion. A premiership winner. Captain of club, state and county. Not much room left on the resume.
Many Edwards fans will be screaming that he does not get the No.1 spot.
After six years in the top grade, the 26-year-old has become known for being one of the hardest working and reliable fullbacks in the game.
During his 25 appearances in 2022, the Clive Churchill Medal winner Edwards was brilliant and extremely entertaining to watch. He averaged 192 running metres and 19 runs per game and was safe as houses under the high ball.
He is just behind Tedesco in offloads with 17 and five behind in line breaks with 13. Edwards crossed for nine tries and made 13 try assists.
His future looks so bright and he will only get better. Edwards is bloody amazing. Just so good under the high ball. But also, sits second for now to the great Teddy.
Some call him Trell Mit, others call him Trell Milk.
Love him or hate it, there is a lot of talent coming out of the Bunnies number one, and there is a reason the club did everything they could to lock him down until the end of 2027.
Able to create something out of nothing, he can inspire his teammates on a whim.
There were question marks regarding whether Souths would even make the finals while Mitchell was sidelined with injury. But they looked like a different side once he returned and ended up one game shy of back-to-back grand finals.
He scored seven tries with 20 assists, but would be accused of being lazy or going missing at times, and has a few issues with the whistle, costing his team 21 penalties.
If he could get his attitude under control, he could top this list for sure. But Bunnies fans love his attitude, and wouldn’t have him any other way.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Even without much game time, this guy remains up the pointy end.
Turbo was close to untouchable in 2021, winning both Dally M Player of the Year and Fullback of the Year awards.
He scored 28 tries – five were bundled into hat-tricks – along with 28 try assists. He averaged 208 running metres and 33 line breaks, and if it wasn’t for a season shoulder injury in Round 11 this season, who knows what could have been.
He has been a joy to watch at state and national level, and as long as he can stay healthy, will remain one of the premier fullbacks of this era.
The Eels fans just love their King!
Guther-ino had another top year at Parramatta and guided his team to the grand final. It’s hard to believe this was his tenth season in the top grade, and the 28-year-old still manages to go just hard and never seems puffed during his post-match interviews.
He played the most games out of the top ten fullbacks this year with 28, scored the most tries with 15 had the second most try assists with 19 and was way out in front for offloads on 37.
Averaging 130 running metres and 3 tackle busts is where he just slipped behind, and he was also the costliest fullback on this list when it came to errors, with 35.
And came ever so close to grand final glory. Maybe next year?
This guy was a big reason for North Queensland’s success this year.
After finally securing the fullback spot during the season, Drinky grabbed it with both hands and never let go.
In his fourth year at the Cowboys, the 26-year-old topped the fullbacks on this list for try assists with 21 and also scored eleven of his own.
He averaged eleven runs and 116 running metres, three tackle busts and managed eleven offloads.
His versatility comes in handy, and his speed and safety under the highball is why he makes this list.
Geez, this guy is like lightning.
After five seasons at the Storm, Paps is one of the most electric and elusive fullbacks of the game.
Another star who was struck down with injury but still holds onto his title as one of the great current fullbacks.
Only playing 14 games in 2022, he was ruled out after suffering a broken kneecap against the Raiders in Round 18. Storm coach Craig Bellamy called it “one of the most brutal NRL injuries” that he had seen in years.
While he was on the field, he caused havoc for the opposition, and the season was shaping up to be another great one. 14 tries, nine try assists, 36 tackle breaks and averaging 120 running metres.
He will come out all guns blazing for 2023 once he finally gets over his fractured kneecap.
The times Ponga was not at his best in 2022 do not even come close to cancelling out all the times he was unstoppable over his career.
The two-time Danny Buderus Medal winner is still one of the most exciting fullbacks in the competition, who constantly puts his body on the line.
Not enough credit is given to this tough-as-nails player for the brutality he cops. While he would have loved more time on the field for his Knights, no one can deny what he produced during the Maroons series win over the Blues in Origin. Game Three alone he made 16 tackle breaks, three line breaks, ran for 262 metres, made 79 post-contact metres, got four offloads away and scored a try for fun.
Some of the best footwork in the game – rightly remains among the top ten.
Despite some off-field drama, this young gun has the potential to be phenomenal.
The 20-year-old exploded onto the scene after leaving the Broncos midway through 2021 to get a starting spot with the Warriors. He became a household name for his speed, creativity and elusiveness.
He has been part of the Maroons Origin extended squad and will no doubt feature in future 17-man team lists.
Returning to Red Hill for 2023 with a fight on his hands for the number one jersey, Walsh will be out to prove he is the right man for the job, this year and beyond.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
This kid is going places.
After a stint on the bench and then some time on the wing, the 20-year-old grabbed his opportunity at fullback with when Ricky Stuart gave him the nod and didn’t disappoint.
He scored seven tries with seven assists during his 19 appearances and averaged 142 running meters per game, becoming a vital part of the Raiders’ success at the back end of the season.
Expect big things from him in 2023 – and for years after that.