Penrith flyer Dylan Edwards spent the summer training at fullback

With shoulder surgery behind him, Penrith flyer Dylan Edwards has been using his summer training at fullback — and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak might have a fight on his hands.

Dylan Edwards has been putting in the hard yards during preseason. (Brett Costello)

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Penrith flyer Dylan Edwards has spent the summer training at fullback as he aims to fend off teammate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for the No.1 jumper.

Edwards declared he is fit following shoulder surgery and ready to make the No.1 position his own despite Watene-Zelezniak also declaring he wants to play at the back.

“I’m hoping to play fullback,” Edwards told The Daily Telegraph.

Edwards has been putting in the hard yards during preseason. (Brett Costello)

“Obviously Dallin played really well at fullback in the back end of last year and during the Test series. He captained New Zealand and he is a quality footballer but we’ll see what happens.

“Dallin has been recovering after last year’s Test series, so he hasn’t quite joined us yet and I’ve been training at fullback a fair bit.

“Fullback is where I want to play, but whatever happens, happens. I know Ivan (Cleary) will do what is best for the team if he has to make that call.”

Fighting for positions can be mentally draining but Edwards can also see the positives.

He says his fullback battle with Watene-Zelezniak highlight’s the current potency of Penrith’s playing roster.

The 23-year-old has put injury behind him. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)

“I think the depth of our squad is going to be a real strength for us throughout the season,” he said.

“Everyone knows you need a strong squad and everyone pushing for spots, especially when someone gets injured.”

Edwards is the perfect example.

He missed the majority of 2018 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Canterbury in round 8.

This opened the door for Watene-Zelezniak to excel in his place at fullback.

Nine months on, Edwards says his shoulder has never felt stronger as he aims to prove he is Penrith’s premier No.1.

“My shoulder is feeling really good,” he said.

“I was almost ready to play at the back end of last year, so I’ve had a full pre-season with full contact.

“That is why it didn’t take my long to get into the swing of things this year.”

Edwards is growing in and out of the game. (Brett Costello)

Edwards has regained his happiness but it hasn’t been an easy year for the Albury-born back.

His shoulder injury, which required surgery, tested him both physically and mentally.

Edwards credits his 10-month-old daughter Bronte for helping him push through the tough times.

“You could have a bad day at training but she doesn’t know and just wants to see you,” he said.

“She keeps me busy but it is all good fun.

“It definitely helps out when you can go home to her and not think about footy all the time.

“She is still challenging but my partner Nadine helps me out lot with the bulk of the waking up in the middle of the night.

“It is not just you and your partner anymore — you also have to worry about a little one and it can take your mind off things when things aren’t going that well at footy.

“She makes things better.”

Thanks to his baby daughter, life off the field couldn’t be better for Edwards.

Now the 23-year-old is hoping for similar success on the field in 2019 to help the Panthers fulfil their potential.

“That (premiership) is the goal every year but now more so than ever before,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of seasons in the finals now where we haven’t gone as far as we’d like to go.

“I think everyone realises we’ve got to make this opportunity count.”

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Originally published as Penrith flyer Dylan Edwards spent the summer training at fullback