NRL Finals 2021: James Tedesco v Tom Trbojevic, the stats that show who is actually No.1

They stand above the rest but, as they look to stamp their authority on this year’s finals series, how do you split James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic? Phil Rothfield has his say.

Teddy v Turbo. It’s like trying to compare Brad Fittler to Laurie Daley, Peter Sterling to Steve Mortimer, Wally Lewis to Brett Kenny or Ricky Stuart to Alfie Langer.

All, incredibly, great rugby league rivalries.

Rugby league fans in 2021 have been blessed with watching arguably the best group of fullbacks we have ever seen: James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Kalyn Ponga, Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Clint Gutherson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

However two absolute champions have stood above the rest … Teddy and Turbo.

But who is No.1?

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Tom Trbojevic stands out in the attacking category.

ATTACK

Over five decades, Turbo is up there with the best few players your columnist has ever seen with the ball in his hands.

That try against the Cowboys on Saturday night in which he beat eight defenders was ridiculously brilliant. The step, the swerve, the speed and the power. Like Jarryd Hayne in 2009 … but even better.

Many, including Channel 9 broadcast legend Ray Warren, regard Melbourne Storm champion Billy Slater as an even better fullback than immortal Graeme ‘Changa’ Langlands.

Yet Turbo’s stats this year are even way superior to Slater, although in fairness the game has changed so much under the new rules.

Over his career Slater averaged 123 metres per game (Turbo 188), 0.5 try assists (Turbo 2), 0.9 line breaks (Turbo 1.9) and 4.1 tackle busts (Turbo 7.6). But again there is far more fatigue in the defence since all the rule changes.

Trbojevic is off the charts and clearly superior to Tedesco in almost every attacking statistic. He has played five less games but still has six more try assists, 14 more line break assists and an extraordinary 17 more tries.

However, Tedesco has been in a side missing up to 60 per cent of their salary cap.

Trbojevic has also run an average of 188 metres to Tedesco’s 152. To prove how great they both are, Latrell Mitchell at the Rabbitohs averages 128.

Manly’s attack has grown from 8.5 per game in the first four rounds without Turbo to 35.5 per game since he returned.

James Tedesco is hands down the most durable of the two.

DURABILITY

Greatness should be judged on consistency, reliability and long-term form.

This is where Tedesco easily beats Trbojevic.

The Roosters superstar averages 21 games per year over the last three seasons, which is huge for such an explosive athlete who puts his body on the line every game, every run, every tackle, as well as playing plenty of representative football.

The Sea Eagles champion averages only 11 games each year, all up 34 matches in the last three seasons because of hamstring injuries that hopefully now appear to be a thing of the past.

This year he treats his high performance responsibilities far more professionally.

Tedesco has excelled as a skipper this season.

LEADERSHIP

Another clear win to Tedesco who has been without Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend, Luke Keary and Brett Morris from the leadership group for much of the year.

Somehow he has picked up this spare parts Roosters side and lifted them into the finals without $4 million of their salary cap.

His captaincy has been absolutely inspirational. He should be the Dally M captain of the year by the length of a football field.

Turbo, however, can rely on experienced halves Daly Cherry-Evans, Kieran Foran and his brother Jake to steer the Sea Eagles. He can concentrate on his own game and lead by his actions.

Manly have improved so much defensively since Trbojevic’s return.

DEFENCE

Both are outstanding communicators out the back.

While Turbo was out injured in the first four rounds, Manly conceded 156 points or 39 per game, losing 46-4 to the Roosters, 26-12 to the Rabbitohs, 38-12 to the Dragons and 46-6 to the Panthers.

Since his return the Sea Eagles have conceded only 16.8 per game.

KICKING

This is one area where Tedesco is surprisingly strong, forcing eight line dropouts this year.

The only other fullback with a better record forcing dropouts is Will Kennedy at the Cronulla Sharks with nine.

It’s an area that Turbo doesn’t touch because he’s got Cherry-Evans, Foran and Josh Schuster for most of their final tackle plays.

They are both set to play a big part in this year’s finals series.

CONCLUSION

I’m hoping the Storm and the Sydney Roosters win this weekend.

That means we’ll get Teddy v Turbo head-to-head in the second week of the finals.

What a colossal match-up!

Whatever happens, it’s hard to argue that on form this year, that Turbo is the one.

He should not only be Dally M fullback of the year but also Dally M player of the year – an incredible and unmatched feat given he’s played just 15 games.

Originally published as NRL Finals 2021: James Tedesco v Tom Trbojevic, the stats that show who is actually No.1