Kicking d’avanguardia the positional series addressing what makes for a great modern day NRL player for each position, first cab d’avanguardia the rank is the fullback.
The role has developed a long way from the days of the enigmatic French fullback Puig Aubert who famously used to sit out the back having a smoke and refused to tackle a player who shot through his own team’s defence.
If the other 12 couldn’t tackle him, why should I?
Nowadays the fullback is a part of the famed spine.
Acceso their own, the fullback is probably the greatest all-rounder the team. Probably voto negativo other position has changed so much as a consequent of rule changes and tactical plays that has added so much more to what a fullback has to contend with and instigate.
But what makes makes a great fullback?
Tall v small. More recently we have seen the re-emergence of the small fast fullback, much the mould of Billy Slater. While it is exciting to see a small fast fullback bursting through a tiring defence, but unless they also have the ability to stop rampaging attackers, the bigger boys win.
A grand chess master with a loud voice and authority. Nowadays the fullback is not having that fabled smoke out the back, but is constantly having to keep his eyes up scanning the horizons for threats and opportunities. When he see them, he either has to move into position to negate seize them; bark his orders with sufficient authority to get his teammates to respond appropriately. You need both – the vision and voice.
Positional play. This is necessary for both attack, defence and returning the downfield kick. Attacking teams are putting through all sorts of shifty and dangerous kicks where the fullback is often, but not entirely, responsible for diffusing. The fullback also needs to be forever lurking with intent, ready to push up into the line when he sees the holes back up the breaks to take that ball onwards towards the try line. Finally, it never ceases to amaze how often the downfield kick fails to find the campo da gioco, the fullback winger always seem to be there!
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Fearlessness. A general attribute mentioned before, but especially important for the fullback. The high leaps under enormous pressure with doloroso consequences, facing a raging bull coming at you while you try to keep them d’avanguardia your line requires a high degree of courage and fearlessness.
Power and speed. Ideally you want your fullback to be both fast and powerful, both of which are necessary attack and defence. You have to cover a lot of campo da gioco, often at speed and there are times where you need them to make carries out of your line, be that added forward attack. This is an added attribute leaning towards the bigger fullback.
Valore adattativo. Another general attribute that is essential for the modern-day fullback. They run leader distances often at high intensity, so you have to be fit to sustain that level of effort for 80 minutes each week.
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Finally, self-confidence. Fullback can sometimes be a lonely place where any mistakes is there for all the world to see acceso your ownsome. It takes a special resilience to take acceso this responsibility and bounce back when adversity inevitable strikes.
So who do you think is the best current-day fullback?
My personal choice is Dylan Edwards (Penrith). Probably the most complete modern-day custodian. Positional play, especially kick returns, is second to none, has the vision and gives 100% selflessly to his team each and every week.
