Dylan has first grade ambitions after impressive pre-season

DYLAN Edwards has had a taste of first grade and after last weekend’s Auckland Nines performance he’s given himself a good chance of playing for the Panthers in the top grade.

Dylan Edwards will be in the running to play first grade this season as Josh Mansour's replacement. Picture: Penrith Panthers

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DYLAN Edwards has had a taste of first grade and after last weekend’s Auckland Nines performance he’s given himself a good chance of playing in the top grade for Penrith this season.

Edwards was on of Penrith’s best in a tournament they weren’t expected to do well in, but they surprised many by reaching the grand final only to go down to the Roosters 10-8.

Edwards, who was born in Albury but moved to Dorrgio at 8, was noticed by the Panthers when playing in a country rugby league carnival.

They signed him up but let him stay in his hometown for a further year to finish school before he moved to Penrith in 2013 to play for the club’s SG Ball team.

The outside back has continued to impress the Panthers more and more each season, and with Josh Mansour out injured for the first three months of the competition he’s in line to add to his only NRL appearance which was last year around State of Origin time.

Dylan Edwards out the front at Penrith Panthers training. Picture: Jeff Lambert/Penrith Panthers

“I didn’t expect to debut last year and it came as a bit of a shock, but it was a dream come true,” he said.

“It’s made me want to train even harder so I get another crack.

“I’ll put my hand up if the opportunity arises, but I’ll just have to wait and see.

“I’ve been training in a few positions, but mainly fullback. I’m happy to play anywhere at the moment.”

Edwards, a natural footballer who can play a wide range of positions, is dangerous with the ball in hand, but he knows he needs to become even more potent if he’s to have a long NRL career at his preferred fullback position.

Thanks mainly to Billy Slater, a fullback will struggle to cement a permanent spot at the back in the top grade unless they have a strong passing game — particularly a long one.

Mitchell Aubusson of the Roosters is tackled by Dylan Edwards of the Panthers in the Nines final at Eden Park, New Zealand. Picture: Mark Evans

“That’s probably the area that I need to work on,” Edwards said.

“I’m more of a runner at the moment but I don’t mind ball playing. I played a bit in the halves growing up.

“It’s not just one area but a few areas I need to work on.”

Training alongside Matt Moylan should prove the tonic Edwards needs.

Moylan has turned himself into one the best fullbacks in the world now and Edwards said the club environment was helping make him a better player much quicker than he anticipated.

“Anthony’s [Griffin] good. He’s not backwards in coming forwards. He tells you how it is and I respect him a lot,” Edwards said.

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Penrith plays two trial games in the next fortnight including a match against Parramatta at home on February 18 at 7.10pm.

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