If you were looking for a microcosm of this weekend’s Grand Final, you could do a lot worse than turn to the two blokes in the number one jumpers, Dylan Edwards and Reece Walsh.
Much as it’s a joke about Edwards that he’s the most rated underrated player in the game, there is a kernel of truth in there. He’s never once given he slighted inkling that he cares remotely about his ratedness or otherwise.
He’s a country boy, quiet as they come, very happy to avoid the spotlight and let just about anybody else take the media duties. Lucky for him, the likes of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai make enough headlines for everyone.
Even a year on, it’s hard to remember that he’s the reigning Clive Churchill Medallist. He’s third favourite this year, too, shared with Broncos talisman Adam Reynolds but behind Cleary – the standout favourite – and his opposite number, Walsh.
Going into Sunday’s Grand Final, the battle between Edwards and Walsh could define the game itself, with the fullbacks likely to be among the most influential figures in deciding who takes home the Premiership.
That might not be through their own actions – though, given the talent on show, it could well be – but rather because they will give the best possible read on which team is best imposing their style.
Edwards is all yardage and set starts, minimising errors and building pressure. If he gets his way, it’ll be Penrith’s kind of game, and they might well suffocate the Broncos like they have so many other sides in the last four years.
Walsh is perhaps the flashiest player in the NRL, the most creative fullback around, and central to how Brisbane attack. When they play well, he has a hand in everything.
Statistically, they are two ends of a spectrum. Edwards dominates in yardage, both total runs, run metres and kick return metres, with a much faster play the ball to boot.
Walsh is more about the other end of the sets, with a huge advantage in line break assists and try assists – not least because of his kicking prowess.
Defensively, they are almost a dead heat. Walsh’s tackling is much poorer, but under the high ball – where fullbacks are judged – they defuse bombs at almost exactly the same rate.
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Brisbane fullback makes far more errors, though that is a function of his role in creating chances within the Broncos’ system, something that Edwards himself identified as a major strength in his game.
Speaking to The Roar, Edwards had nothing but kind words about his opponent, but added that he had no envy for Walsh, or desire to show any flash in his game.
“Not at all!” he joked.
“I’m happy with my role in the team, well happy with it, and that’s his role in his team and he executes it well.
“He’s impressive. You just have to see what he did at the weekend. He has that ability to flush errors which is pretty cool.
“The opportunities that he creates for people with his speed and his ability to find the right pass is pretty impressive, for such a young fella too.”
Edwards knew how vital their two performances could be, and back his side to keep it tight.
“Hopefully it’s a good quality game, lots of completions and ball in play, then let the footy take over,” said the fullback.
“Both teams play pretty gritty and we’ll see who goes better on the day.
“They’re a pretty good defensive team as well, that doesn’t get enough credit. But it’s a good match-up regardless, there’s that across the park.
“You can’t treat it like a normal game, it’s definitely bigger than that, but as far as my individual performance, I’m not worried about that.
“I want to do my job for the team and nail my role.”
He certainly nailed his role last year and was rewarded by the Clive Churchill Medal, but added that his team’s advantage in big game experience was likely overrated.
“It’ll be nice if it works out like that,” said Edwards. “But in saying that, they’ve got internationals and Origin players.
“You could look across the park and if they haven’t played Origin they’ve played international footy, so the big stage won’t phase them.”
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s a fine line against the panthers between matching them in the niche and getting caught up in a battle In week 1, I think the warriors without Johnson decided they were going to try and bash the panthers pack and forgot about playing footy. The Panthers love that, absorb the pressure and then eventually get on top The Broncs need to match them in the middle but not get obsessed with it and take their chances to attack when they’re presented That’s the broncos natural style anyway. It’s a mouth watering clash on paper. Hopefully the game lives up to it
Greg
Roar Pro
Edwards running metres is the most overpraised individual attribute in the game. Yes, it is his role in the team. Yes, he performs it very well. Yes, it is good to see a bloke make the most of his skillset through hard work and dedication. However, his running metres are predominantly a reflection of his sides game plan and physical dominance. There are very few fullbacks (a couple of the light weights aside) who could not perform this role, heck most wingers could. Edwards ability to organise a defensive line however is elite and for some reason never mentioned. It is what he brings to the Panthers side that any old effort merchant can not.
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
One thing that I think a lot of punters forget is that players are always made to look better when they are on a winning side. The old adage, 'you play as good as your support players make you' is as true today as ever. Of course, there are players that shine in whatever team they are on. However, (IMO), if you throw Dylan Edwards in the Tigers team for a year or two we'd all be saying "Dylan who??.." Even with Walsh, there wasn't many headlines on the lad when he was with Warriors.. Now he has a gargantuan forward pack and fast centres around him we all sit up and take notice and the media wont shut-up about him. Don't hear me wrong both these boys are top class, but players are always made to look better when surrounded with talent.
Full Credit to the Boys
Roar Rookie
Don't have any comments to make that haven't been made already other than to say everyone essentially agrees that this is a classic in the making and the nature of the unstoppable force against the immovable object is the essence of the struggle.
Cam
Roar Rookie
On paper, the battle in the middle looks epic and will go a long way to deciding the result. 6 weeks ago I'd have said the Panther's middles are too strong, but geez Brisbane has impressed the hell out of me. Tipping the Broncs in a super tight and low scoring game, something like 13-12 with a Reynolds dropkick the difference.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Fly the flag for QLD :laughing:
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Match ups all over the park . Not just the middle third & spine players. It JUST might be one of the lesser noted match ups that swings the deal . Look at the likely match ups even off the benches : Crichton v Staggs, Tago v Herbie, Martin v Capewell, Sorensen v Riki, Kenny v Walters , Smith v Hetherington , Leniu v Piakura !
Nat
Roar Guru
Well, yes it’s a start. A man can’t be farting dust by kick off. :stoked:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
It's a pretty safe bet that when 1 plays 2 in the grand final, there's going to be exciting contests across the ground. On paper, there's pretty even contests in all departments, including the guys coming off the benches. If this is a close game, which is what I expect, I'm guessing the respective 14 - 17 players to have the most impact, one way or another (and how the respective coaches use them, of course). Edwards & Walsh will have important roles to play, but the same could be said for the other guys around them. Will one of them define the grand final? Maybe, but only with a tonne of help from their team mates.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Attacking from errors and from anywhere on the field is the old Broncos DNA and I am sure Kevie has a big role in letting the players go for it and not worry about mistakes in those instances.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Saw a photo in the paper today of pallets of XXXX being delivered at the stadium. Is that your order Nat?
Nat
Roar Guru
Edwards is a great player that suits their system perfectly. They don't need him to be flash but that also comes with it's own limitations. You know he is going to take the 1st/2nd (depending on who receives the kick) and 4th hit up for Cleary to kick. He is always going to be in position to receive the kick so you can crowd on a kick chase because he will not get adventurous with a pass. With just 6 TAs for the season he generally doesn't get involved with the backline sweeps. None of this is a criticism, he does his job 9/10 every game but if you limit what you know he is going to do there is half an advantage there. Walsh, his known play is that he sweeps, at pace, both sides. People look at last week and applaud him for not going into his shell after the intercept. He didn't forget about it because he didn't throw it again. He put Herbie through twice and once for Capewell who then fed Arthurs. Where he put Walters over, no one could have seen that but him. Credit to Mam though, his soft hands sat that ball up perfectly. As they say about Munster, how do you defend a guy who doesn't know what he is going to do?
mushi
Roar Guru
I normally find the obvious match ups don't end up defining the game unless it's tight and a late impact or a demolition (turns out most gf coaches are okay at game planning) The key for both is denying the platform not the play.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Edwards fits Penrith like a glove. He is a modern marvel. I remember seeing his early games in the NRL . He got rag dolled more than Brett Hodgeson. Hopeless I thought. Now he takes a dozen hit ups one off the ruck. He’s a truly great FB. Walsh is flash with all the bells and whistles. He creates stuff no one else in the game could. I saw the Broncs play live a couple of times earlier this year and one thing I noted was how often they would counter-attack from an error. Most teams grab the ball , go to ground , then plan their set. The Broncs would immediately swing it and try to involve Walsh somewhere. It’s exciiting footy. Walsh has errors though and sometimes he defends like Scott Drinkwater. He can’t do those two thingds on Sunday. Fascinating battle.
The Barry
Roar Guru
So many interesting match ups across the park. This is a great one given the wildly contrasting styles Origin and this semi final series have shown that Walsh won’t let the occasion get to him and will play his natural game. Obviously that’s critical to the Broncos chances The other mouth watering match up is JFH, Leota and Yeo v Haas, Flegler and Carrigan Interesting that both games so far have been low scores at 13-12 and 4-15. Hard to draw too much from those games. Panthers were coming off the WCC and definitely off the pace early when the Broncos won. Reynolds was missing when the Panthers got theirs Cannot wait for this game…