Billy Slater is the NRL’s best ever fullback, but James Tedesco is fast closing the gap

We line up James Tedesco and Billy Slater’s statistics at the same age to show why Teddy can one day claim the all-time fullback crown.

• Broncos land ‘cheap shot’, Knights bring real pain
• $1 million Milford problem Broncos can’t hide from

Billy Slater is widely regarded as rugby league’s greatest ever fullback.

But here are the statistics that show why James Tedesco can one day claim the crown if his career keeps travelling on its current trajectory.

Ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster between the Sydney Roosters and the Parramatta Eels, the Saturday Telegraph called on Fox Sports Stats to pull out Tedesco’s statistics and career achievements so far — and line them up against where Slater was at the same age.

A major determining factor when comparing champions often comes down to longevity, and in that respect Slater is well ahead having played 16 seasons, while Teddy is now in his ninth.

Billy was only 25 when he was first judged world’s best after taking out the 2008 Golden Boot, while he won the Dally M in 2011 at 28.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Tedesco has modelled his game on Slater. AAP Image/Darren England.

Tedesco was 26 last year when he took out the Dally M Medal and was widely regarded as the world’s best despite the Golden Boot going to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Tedesco’s Dally M came with a stack of other awards including the RLPA Players’ Champion, State of Origin’s Wally Lewis Medal, NSW’s Brad Fittler Medal and the Kangaroos’ Harry Sunderland Medal, as well as claiming the Roosters’ player of the year.

He also scored the try that sealed the Blues’ series victory and the grand final match clincher, where he was well in the frame for the Clive Churchill Medal that ultimately went to Jack Wighton.

Tedesco is widely counted as the best player in the world. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

But there is no question Tedesco’s game has gone to another level in 2020, highlighted by his mesmerising performance in last round’s win over the Bulldogs.

That led even Tedesco to declare he was now in the best form of his career.

Fox Sports Stats show that at almost the exact same age Teddy has played less games (143 to 179) and has less tries (81 to 112) but is averaging more runs (14.7 to 12.5), more metres (155m to 124m), more tackle busts (807 to 723), more linebreak assists (101 to 72) and try assists (82 to 71).

This is Teddy in 2020 compared to Slater in 2010.

Slater had also played more Tests (13 to 10) and Origins (14 to 10) at the same age, although Teddy will add to his Origin tally if he stays fit to season’s end.

One other factor that has to be taken into account when comparing Teddy’s current form is that, by his own admission, his game is even more suited to the faster footy that is a direct result of the new six-to-go rule.

That means his statistics will probably get even better in time.

Last week for instance Teddy broke the all-time SuperCoach record for a single game (199 points).

But if Slater was playing under the same rule you’d imagine his game also would have gone to another level.

Slater was counted as the best fullback of his era. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

Teddy is also heavier and taller than Slater was, and you may argue even faster.

Tedesco is 95kg and 184cm compared to Slater who played at 89kg and is 178cm.

One part of Slater’s game that can’t be measured by statistics but was also one of his greatest strengths was defence.

Not only his ability to stop a try but how he could orchestrate a defensive line through his talk.

But this is a part of Tedesco’s game that is also rapidly improving with experience.

Teddy has also now won two grand finals.

At the same stage Billy had also won two grand finals, although those premierships were later stripped for the Storm’s salary cap cheating.

Slater also won the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2009 grand final and again in the 2017 decider.

We probably won’t be able to determine if Tedesco can be rated alongside Slater until we get a few years down the track.

But the footy he’s playing right now is arguably just as breathtaking as what Slater was delivering at the same age.

When Slater retired at the end of 2018 we were entitled to wonder if there would ever be another like him.

Then along came Teddy.

TEDDY VS THE KID

*All Slater stats from end of 2010 season.

Age: Both 27

Games: Tedesco 143, Slater 179

Premierships: Tedesco 2, Slater 2 (both stripped)

NRL tries: Tedesco 81, Slater 112

Try assists: Tedesco 82, Slater 71

Metres per game: Tedesco 155, Slater 124

Tackle busts: Tedesco 807, Slater 723

Linebreaks: Tedesco 115, Slater 160

Tackler per game: Tedesco 3.7, Slater 6.6

Origin caps: Tedesco 10, Slater 14

Origin tries: Tedesco 5, Slater 9

Test caps: Tedesco 10 (six for Italy, four for Australia), Slater 13

*Numbers courtesy of Fox Sports Stats