NRL power rankings: Who is the best fullback in the NRL?
THEY are the last line of defence. The custodians of their clubs. And NRL fullbacks can single-handedly shape the premiership fortunes of their sides. So who is the best?
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THEY are the last line of defence. The custodians of their clubs.
And NRL fullbacks can single-handedly shape the premiership fortunes of their sides.
So who is the best?
16. MOSES MBYE
He ranks lowly on this list more because of his lack of experience in the position than his potential. His shift from the halves into fullback, a position he’s never played in, is a risky move but one that’s designed to take the pressure off, unlock his running game and add some creativity to an uninspired Bulldogs attack. How will he fare? Only time will tell. But if trial form is any indication to go by, he may struggle to find his feet in his new role. Against the Raiders in week one of the trials he struggled to get involved when his side was attacking in Canberra’s red zone.
15. MICHAEL GORDON
Gordon is an astute pick up for a club during a genuine rebuild. He’ll provide the calm and experience needed in Titans roster. While, his best days might be behind him the former Roosters is no slouch. He is reliable and new coach Garth Brennan can trust whatever the job required of him, he’ll get it done.
14. JACK WIGHTON
He’s earned himself a reputation as a rocks and diamonds type player which can sometimes detract from some of the things Wighton does really well. He’s numbers are a rung below the elites but commendable nonetheless. With Hodgson missing, Wighton will likely feature more heavily in Canberra’s attack, something he is capable of doing. In 2017, he made 12 linebreaks, had 18 linebreaks assists and 13 try assists. He’s let down by his error rate and defensively can struggle with positioning.
13. TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
Lolohea is a victim of his own versatility. Remarkably, Lolohea’s move to fullback this year will be his 23rd positional switch in five years. He has made no secret about his desire to play in the halves but again will have to settle for a position which isn’t his first choice. Finding a like-for-like replacement for a talent like Tedesco was never going to be easy. But the Tongan International is a skilful ballplayer and will likely act as a third halve adding an extra dimension to Wests’ attack.
12. MATT DUFTY
There was a bit of contention over who will wear the number one jersey for the Red V this year but Dufty’s performance against Hull FC put an end to that debate. The livewire fullback may be diminutive but only in stature. In his seven games last year, he delivered the kind of numbers you’d expect from a seasoned fullback. He made 29 tackle busts, 7 linebraks, 7 linebreak assists and five try assists. The 22-year old showed more of the same against Hull, running for 200 meters, two linebreaks and made three tackle busts.
11. ALEX JOHNSTON
Johnston switched between fullback and wing last year and was equally as potent as a tryscorer from both positions. He scored 22 tries — 11 from the back and 11 from the flank — and made 17 linebreaks along the way. He is clearly a top-class finisher but his playmaking does lag behind some of the best custodians in the competition at the moment. Even RTS, one of the games’ best running backs, has the added bonus of ball playing in his repertoire.
10. KALYN PONGA
The buzz surrounding this kid well and truly surpasses the seven NRL games he currently has to his name. He’s on big money at the Knights, and along with Mitchell Pearce, is now carrying the hopes of rugby league mad city. If the stats he accumulated in his very short career are anything to by Ponga is set to blitz his first full season of top-class footy. In the seven games he played, he made 33 tackle busts, nine linebreaks, four linebreak assists and scored three tries.
9. DYLAN EDWARDS
Edwards was given a shot at fullback after Matt Moylan was shifted into the halves last year and he made the most of the opportunity. He’s still a bit rough around the edges but he has the skillset to grow into one of the better fullbacks in the game. A raw talent with a great motor, the sky’s the limit for Edwards. One weakness in his game can be his positional play, but he’s expected to improve in that area with experience.
8. VALENTINE HOLMES
He’ll start this season brimming with confidence after an impressive showing for the green and gold during the World Cup, albeit on the wing. Holmes is establishing himself as one of the better running fullbacks in the game, averaging around 150 metres in his first full season as a number one. He’ll get first crack at the back but with Josh Dugan breathing down his neck he’ll have even more reason to start the year off with bang. It’s easy to forget Valentine Holmes is only 22 and essentially he’s still a ‘rising star’ of our game. Yes, he’s won a premiership and yes he’s a representative player but he’s still very much developing the side of his game that he’ll need to master if he’s to grow into an elite fullback — his ball playing. Based on attacking stats alone, he’d sit in the second half of this list. But that’s not meant as an indictment on his game or ability, the Sharks as a whole struggled in the offensive department last year. The loss of Michael Ennis and Ben Barba left a huge dent in their attacking repertoire in 2017.
7. LACHLAN COOTE
Coote’s ability to play as a third halve proved more valuable than ever when Johnathan Thurston was forced on the sidelines with a season-ending shoulder injury. Coote handled the ball a staggering 45 times a game last year — almost double the likes of Trbojevic and Tedesco — for 15 linebreak assists and eight try assists. He’s also one of the few fullbacks with an accomplished kicking-game. Last year, he forced 5 dropouts and is the only player in our list to kick a 40/20. He also kicked two winning field goals against the Raiders and Rabbitohs.
6. CLINT GUTHERSON/BEVAN FRENCH
There is no shortage of contenders for the fullback spot at Parramatta with the likes of Bevan French and Jarryd Hayne in contention. Fully fit, Gutherson would Arthur’s first choice fullback. But he’s expected to miss the early round of the season as he eases back from an ACL injury. French is likely to fill in for him in the meantime. Both players will add even more attacking potency to a spine lead by Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses. Gutherson especially, who will likely play the role of a third playmaker from the back.
5. ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
There is always an air of expectation about the Warriors before each season. An expectation that finally the full potential of their talent will be unlocked and they deliver. Not so much this year. They’ve been installed as wooden spoon favourites. But a fit and firing RTS could go a long way to help them avoiding a bottom-placed finish. He was one of their best last year after returning from the ACL injury which cruelled his 2016. Tuivasa-Sheck will be a crucial anchor in New Zealand’s 2018 campaign — both in inspiring their attack and as a leader. And despite punters remaining unconvinced of the Warriors’ credentials, RTS remains one of the best fullbacks in the game. He averaged 164 metres a game, made 15 linebreaks, nine try assists, 10 linebreak assists and 87 tackle busts.
4. DARIUS BOYD
We’ve waxed lyrical about the attacking exploits of the custodians listed before him and Boyd is no slouch in that department either. But there’s an area of his game that sets him apart from anyone else on the list … his defence. The Broncos number one is safe as houses at the back. He averages 7 tackles a game and misses only one. He also has an impeccable eye for reading the play and positioning himself and his line. From the back Boyd diffused a staggering 94 per cent of kicks in 2017 … that’s high balls, grubbers, chips etc. The big question is his dodgy hamstring, which is beginning to cause him some serious issues.
3. JAMES TEDESCO
Big things are expected from Tedesco now he’s part of a star-studded roster at the Roosters. With Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary steering the attack and plenty of strike around him in the backs, the 25-year old looks primed to take his game to another level in 2018. He made a staggering 153 busts last year, more than any player in any position and averaged 163 metres per game. He lags behind Trbojevic and Slater in the playmaking department creating only eight tries but that’s a number likely to increase dramatically if he can use the caliber of his outside backs.
2. TOM TRBOJEVIC
He’s the highest priced player in SuperCoach for 2018 and with good reason. Trbojevic easily stakes his claim as one of the elite fullbacks of the competition and all at the tender age of 21. A taste of representative footy during the World Cup will only benefit him and a strong start to the season should see him push James Tedesco for the number one Blues spot.
Tommy Turbo’s strike power has earned him top spot in our rankings. In 2017, he made 24 linebreaks, had 21 try assist and averaged more running metres than another fullback with 168 metres per game. Fit and healthy, we expect more of the same from the Sea Eagle in 2018.
1. BILLY SLATER
What can we say about Slater that hasn’t already been said? There was much trepidation and uncertainty surrounding his return from a lengthy stint on the sideline. But who were we to doubt him? After all, he is the premier number one of his generation. He finished the year as the Clive Churchill Medallist and the Dally M fullback of the year. Without Cooper Cronk to help steer the ship, Slater is likely to take an even more active role in the Storm’s attack this year adding his to already impressive attacking dossier — 19 linebreaks, 20 try assists, 38 offloads (the most of any fullback) and 11 tries.