Even when fully fit - Top 5 is a HUGE stretch.
Is he good value for money? Yes. He is also underrated by NRL fans generally. However he is wildly overrated by a substantial section of Panthers fans.
I dont really think anyone overrates him.
People often say its going to be a challenge for him to retain the #1 spot next year i know ive said he has his limitations and just isnt a genuine gamebreaker like teddy, turbo or ponga.
But like Ivan said in his presser today. Most people dont realise the work dylan does and how much he contributes on and off the ball. That stuff just doesnt stand out. Especially on TV where you for the most part cant see the work the fb is doing. And on the tv is how a lot of fans have had to watch games the last 2 years.
Id say with confidence that dylan probably does more work off the ball in defence than any of the big 3 or 4 fbs.
Its pretty common for him to make a tackle on our goal line on one side of the field than sprint 40m to the other side covering the play to clean up a kick or make another covering tackle. He does that for every tackle close to our line. Literally covers that much ground to be an extra defender. Theres a reason we have the best defence in the comp and edwards is a huge huge part of that.
I watch teddy, turbo etc. They to an extent do similar but nowhere near the amount edwards does. Teddy has done it a few times in origin and club level, as has turbo for manly. Theyve both had games where they have just been absolutely everywhere in defence. But edwards does that every week for us. Its something that goes highly unnoticed because just being there in defence doesnt show up to the average fan. But those effort plays are potentially what stop halfbacks from putting in possible try scoring grubbers, or chancing their hand by throwing a few wide passes cause edwards is there. For the most part all the effort plays never go down on the stat sheet but all the players notice and you hear them and ivan talk about it when they talk about dylan. Than he is the first or 2nd bloke coming out of our end to put his hand up to take the tough carries, often two a set coming out of trouble, while everyone else gets a breather.
Yes he is seriously limited in ball playing extra..
But no one thinks hes overrated. I actually think hes underrated by most on here.
The salary cap means we probably wont keep him which is understable. But an nrl club will pick him up for a bargain price and they will get one of the hardest work, dedicated, good role model players any coach and club could ask for.
If i was a 20s coach or ball or matts id be telling my players if you want to make the nrl watch dylan train. Watch him play and see the effort he puts in. Thats whats required.
Hes never going to be a superstar fullback but for the stuff all coin hed be on hes been bloody brilliant for the panthers.
Im excited hes back tomorrow and i hope he can get us over the line.
