Penrith’s fittest man Dylan Edwards thrives in scorching heat
As the temperatures continue to rise out west, one Penrith Panther simply won’t stop running, with the club’s head trainer placing him in the top two fittest stars he’s ever seen.
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Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards has taken just one training session to reclaim his mantle as the fittest player at the Panthers – and potentially, the NRL.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal 23-year-old Edwards has been the best performed player over the opening two days of pre-season testing at Panthers Academy.
Most notably, the rising No. 1 finished first of all returning players in the ‘Yo Yo’ – a shuttle run similar to rugby league’s notorious beep test – with a strong first hit out time in the 19s.
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According to Panthers Head of Performance Hayden Knowles, Edwards would compete with any player in the game when it comes to tests of endurance.
“We expect Dylan Edwards to be the fittest player at Penrith,” Knowles said. “And already this week, he’s performed to expectation.
“Dylan’s an outstanding athlete who really competes. It’s why he was third in the NRL this year for support runs.
“And while we’re happy with him getting into the 19s for his first hit out (in the Yo Yo test), his best recording is in the 20s, which puts him up there with guys like Mitchell Pearce and James Tedesco.
“Actually, Dylan’s best performance on this test is the second best I’ve seen during my time in the game.”
So as for the top effort?
“When I was at the Roosters,” Knowles continued, “Pearcey also ran in the 20s
“But then after having a quick break, he not only asked to run the test again, but posted another time in the 20s.”
Season 2019 started horribly for Edwards under new coach Ivan Cleary.
Initially shifted from fullback to wing following a series of crucial errors in games, the Bellingen Magpies product was then dropped completely as rumours began suggesting he was set to be moved on by the club.
However the young custodian eventually fought back, returning to first grade with the same fight that, now something of his signature, has once again been on display this week.
In fact, despite talk of his impending departure less than a year ago, Edwards now again looms as a crucial part of the Panthers squad after Cleary instead released New Zealand international Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Bulldogs) and then Waqa Blake (Eels).
“And for the young players who we’ve got joining this squad this year, his efforts have been a real eye-opener,” Knowles continued. “When they see how he trains, it really sets an example.”
Elsewhere, Knowles also praised the Yo Yo efforts of centre Dean Whare on an opening two days where the players were measured for everything from skin folds and endurance to leg strength.
With temperatures nearing 40 degrees out west on Tuesday, coach Cleary had his players out on the field early and finished all skills drills by 11.30am.
However, the players also have more on field testing to do this Friday, when the temperatures are again tipped to be around 37 degrees.
“But that’s just part of playing at Penrith,” Knowles shrugged. “And it’s going to get a lot hotter than that.”