When fit Turbos in the top 2 ... even at 6 when hes on the park less than 40% per season just goes to show how good he is.
Ponga- is a Myth, had 1 "Hayne Plane" season ( Or half season at that, and because he's the flavour of the month he has to be at 1 " today"), BUT he's been around now for a few years and really if people are being honest he didn't set the world on fire as the games Number 1 Fullback
Edwards- Is a solid player and would always be at Number 2 or 3 because he just hasn't got that X factor, hes also playing in the best side in the comp and that makes a massive difference.
Walsh- is a talent but in my opinion he needs to back it up again next season and the season after that before he's even top 3, Lets not forget this guy is not a rookie and wasn't so " grease Lightning" in his previous years, ALSO goes to show how important it is to be playing in a good side, ALA Edwards
Drinkwater- HMMM at 4... in this star studded list...., hes a decent player but if we are being real here he's not in the top 8, Gutho is a better fullback than him and Gutho would only be at 7
Tedesco- Great player, proven player and his ability is only outmatched by his desire and will to succeed, thats what kept him at the top for the last 5 or 6 years. Sadly he's body is not only aging but the effort and stress he has but his body through ( ALA Foran) sees him around drop but still in the top 3 IMO
Trbojevic- His body is all that has let him down, solid defender, good under the high ball, can ball play, is a big fast body and arguably the best attacking footballer of the group with a real footy brain and Teddy like will to succeed, hes " talk" alone at fullback in marshaling the defence
has taken a huge step forward since having Snake coach him. And he can play as a forward... All these attributes above he has and no other player in this list ( Other than Teddy in his prime) have.
Mitchell- Another Myth, when he's on he's unstoppable ( In attack that is) because hes a very lazy defender ( Unless he has a point to prove ), yes he's got talent but lacks drive and motivation to ever be close to Number 1
and as for the rest of the field, ALL are excellent players, who bring their own strengths but also have weaknesses that see them in the bottom section of the list.
To even form such a list there must be a criteria and once you put that criteria to the player you come out with a list based on fact rather than opinion.
My judging criteria:
Defensive ability
Defensive team organisation and management
Ability under the high ball
Ability to control grounded ball
Line breaks
Line break assist
Trys
Try assists
Speed
Power/ Strength (Leg drive, power to get over the advantage line in a tackle)
Size ( Body shape )
Longevity ( how their body stands up to the game, Injuries )
Stamina/ Fitness
X Factor ( What the player brings to the team and his own "special" performance attributes)
Dependability ( How the team preforms when they are or are not playing)
Reliability ( How they preform week in week out, season after season)
Football Knowledge (natural ability to see and do things that sets them apart)
My Top 8-- using the criteria above Scoring a 10 for each area
1- Tedesco 146
2- Trbojevic 145
3- Edwards 144
4- Gutherson 143
5- Walsh 140
6- Ponga- 139
7- Mitchell- 134
8- Drinkwater- 131
