Much is made of the Panthers’ star-studded squad that naturally features heavily when representative football approaches.
Rightly so, with a host of premiership winning players near automatic picks. Yet time and again, when injury strikes or representative selection impacts availability, Penrith are forced to scramble without all their cream present and the sum of the parts takes over.
Even the departures of Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton don’t appear to have halted their momentum, with finals certain in 2024 and market favouritism remaining solid early in the season.
It is the efficient system built by Ivan Cleary that takes over in troubled times and gets them through relatively unscathed, ready to attack when back at full strength.
It seems the Panthers can potentially cover the absence of anyone in any position, with others ready to adopt the ‘one man out, one man in’ mantra and keep the ship pumping relentlessly towards the final destination.
Except perhaps for one man, metre-eating full-back Dylan Edwards, whose durability and consistency over the last four seasons has him placed as one of the most valuable players in the game, and perhaps the one the Panthers do not want to attempt to play without for any length of time.
Edwards has played an incredible 78 of the Panthers’ 89 matches since the start of the 2021 season and the incredible numbers he continues to produce on a week to week basis set a benchmark for fullbacks in the competition in terms of consistency and excellence.
Already in 2024, the 28-year-old has established an embarrassing dominance at the top of the total running metres and average running metres statistics with 1,491 and 248 respectively. Frankly, daylight is second and there are very few in the rugby league viewing public surprised based on preceding seasons.
His 683 kick return metres entering Round 8 place him near 200 metres ahead of the next best in the NRL and have Edwards well on the way to eclipsing the 1,890 he achieved in 2023.
With averages of 188, 223 and 207 running metres per match across 2021-23, the Albury-born custodian has been the rock upon which the Panthers have built their forward momentum.
Across four seasons, Dylan Edwards has been the NRL running metres king. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Even with coaches understanding more than ever the importance of the back three and the necessity to kick astutely to limit the impact of kick returners, Edwards just keep producing; thus allowing his big men slightly shorter trips back into the attacking line and the benefit of a scrambling defensive line he has often broken or disrupted.
Quite simply, Edwards reads the ball well off the boot, returns the ball from kicks with speed and elusiveness that few can match and also expertly times his injections into general play well, off the back of the Penrith forwards that play an organised shape promoting his involvement.
With Nathan Cleary absent across the last month and some growing concerns over the soft tissue injuries that appear to be popping up far more frequently than he would care to deal with, the Penrith collective power has taken over and once again managed to keep the mountain men well on track this season.
Nathan Cleary is a star of the NRL, yet the Panther’s system handles his absence well. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Whilst Cleary is obviously the most intellectually talented footballer at Penrith, his absences have not brought about panic or catastrophe, with the club winning two from three during his most recent short term absence.
The numbers clocked up by Edwards and the fact that he has been something of an iron man over the last four seasons, mount a serious argument that he could potentially be the most valuable player in the Penrith line-up.
Especially given the little experience the squad has playing without him in the custodian role and the efficiency they show when other big names are missing.
A Cleary, Jerome Luai, Isaah Yeo or Brian To’o are no doubt missed when absent, yet the extended squad always seems to manage to keep the mountain men’s head above water until they return.
However, without Edwards, I’m not sure there is a player capable of producing even 70 per cent of his output as a substitute, let alone being a like for like replacement.
Finally rewarded with national colours in 2023, Edwards shows no signs of doing anything other than making 2024 another statistically remarkable season.
With the Panthers certain to feature heavily during the Origin period and rep stars facing three games in nine days around the opening match of the series on June 5, Edwards will once again be key to navigating the period.
Unlikely to be selected barring injury to others, Edwards will be crucial to holding the fort across a challenging five weeks.
He has done it before and will probably do it again, in his ever irreplaceable style.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
Edwards has never been selected in any position at Origin level and he's no better now than he's been in the last couple of years. They won't pick him on the bench as other players are considered more versatile and able to cover more positions. The number 14 will most likely be a player to cover hooker or the halves which rules Edwards out of that position. There seems little point in making him the no 18 either. I just can't see him being selected now.
Good Grief
Roar Rookie
If Edwards isn’t selected at fullback, NSW still need a 14 and an 18. I expect he’ll be in the squad somewhere. I’m sticking with my original point.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I know, but when injuries come along he may play there?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yes. I assume he will once again be overlooked by NSW selectors. So, he will not be missing from the Panthers team during that period. In my opinion, he is the fittest and most durable player in the NRL, but I guess that doesn't make many highlight reels ? Right now, his abilities are key to the Panthers whole game plan in attack & defence. And it seems this has been quite successful in recent years.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
Turuva won't be playing fullback at the Tigers as Bula has that position locked down.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
As Edwards won't be picked for origin this year same as he hasn't been in previous years, I'm not sure we will see anyone else at fullback at the Panthers unless he gets injured. Tedesco is already locked in at fullback, the only wingers being mentioned are Ado-Carr To'o and Lomax and they won't pick a fullback on the bench. The fact is while he's great on the statistics front, he's not as highly regarded as other NSW fullbacks such as Tedesco Mitchell and Trbojevic. In fact, a list i saw last year didn't rate him in the top 5 with Ponga and the current most highly rated fullback in the NRL in Walsh all rated above him due to Edwards being considered not dangerous enough in attack. So don't go expecting him to play Origin any time soon.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Oh yes all true. Just something I muse on from time to time.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Have a heart. The salary cap is death by a thousand cuts. You invest your heart and soul in your team and some agent with a spreadsheet bends you over and ruins your day. Fish hurt more than all the other players combined. Only Freddie upset me more. I lived near the SFS in Paddington for 9 years, and every night before I got into bed I would turn my back to the Stadium bend over and moon the Roosters HQ, muttering "f*ck you Roosters, a pox on your house". I love NZ and its a bit too far to moon Auckland so I will just weep into my Marlborough Pinoit Noir instead.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Well there are games and there are games. Cleary makes his presence felt when it matters, as his two Clive Churchills will attest. Just my view, but the fact the team can win run of the mill games without him says more about Ivan's coaching than Cleary junior's ability. The process they have developed in Penrith to prepare players for first grade, seems to be superb. The process they use to train the back up halves seems to also be excellent. Cogger at Newcastle, Cogger at the Knights. Spot the difference. When Cleary is in form, the Panthers can be almost "Borg" like. "Resistance is futile, you will be beaten".......
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I don’t think there are any nearly Walsh’s playing in the top couple of grades there . Just clarifying that. Plus there won’t most likely be any great performances at fullback by Turuva . Unless they are for West’s?
NQR
Roar Rookie
I’m so happy NSW have had their pin up boy at fullback. Hope it continues and Edwards doesn’t get to stop another Maroon victory.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I wonder, how good can a player be if his absence doesn’t noticeably weaken his team?
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
Edwards is great player but i reckon you could put 8 fullbacks in the competition in the Penrith team and they would still be the machine that they are. But if you take out Cleary.... or you take out Yeo,,,, and next year you take out Fisher-Harris..... These guys will be much harder to replace
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah but he won't.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Some players do fall apart completely because of it.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
If Edwards does play Origin he will become a better FB. That's scary.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
They haven't started so well this year, but have handled origin pretty well since they've been on this run and seem to value the opportunity to give reserve players a run.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
We haven't seen the effect of the Fish yet, most of my Penrith loving mates go pale when I try to discuss it.
Good Grief
Roar Rookie
I guess we’ll find out who is “next man up” for Penrith at fullback during the 2024 SOO period.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
The 3 tries with a runaway try against Manly in a loss was a surprise to me. As was the kick ahead try against the Roosters. He’s been a great metre maker & general in defence. Sometimes can suffer some dropsies at fullback under kicks. So given him some good praise. Who’s to say that an Iongi, Turuva, Laurie couldn’t be great from the back for the club . Given a good run there. As they all bring their own abilities & pace . Edgar looks like the long term player who will replace Edwards, who is now 28. He was a standout last season in juniors. With the very fast attacking fullbacks such as Walsh now playing first grade. Every club will be seeking their own probably lesser version of him. Who’s to say that Penrith won’t find their own Walsh , or that he’s not already playing for the club?