rank the nrl fullbacks

[Cliffhanger]

I know Locke's been out injured for a fair bit of the season, but I'm perfectly comfortable having him at the back... even though he looks in most lists to be about 4th or 5th worst in the NRL. He was outstanding last year and was good in the games he played this year.

I agree, Locke is a genuine talent and had a great season last year. Given the fact that he is still in the early stages of his career his maturity is phenomenal. He is fantastic under the high ball, is great in defence especially for such a tiny bloke and he's an attacking weapon- great kick returns, always good for a few line breaks, and can set up tries too.

That said, I don't remember him playing more than one good game in the handful he played this year.

 

[The.X.Factor9]

Ive been saying for a while it is the easiest position to look good in. For a myriad of factors but mainly due to the extra time you have before the defence is in your face.

Conversely I reckon center is the hardest position to have an impact on a game from because of the exact opposite.

Look good in attack maybe, but its very hard to be the total package as a fullback.

Billy slater is probably the only one.

 

[H.H]

1. Slater (Storm)
2. Hayne (Parramatta)
3. Inglis (Souths)
4. Bowen (Cowboys)
5.Barba (Bulldogs)
6. Stewart (Manly)
7. Dugan (Raiders)
8. Coote (Panthers)
9. Locke (warriors)
10. Morris (Dragons)
11. Hoffman (Broncos)
12. Moltzen (Tigers)
13. Boyd (Knights)
14. Minichiello (Roosters)
15. Gardner (Sharks)
16. Zillman (Titans)

i rate bowen far better than dugan and stewart

Really???

 

[sputneek]

Based on overall potential and achievement
1. Minichiello
2. Slater
3. The rest

Based on current form
1. Slater
2. Minichiello
3. The rest

 

[Raider_69]

Teir 1:
Slater

Teir 2:
Daylight

Teir 3:
Inglis, Dugan, Hayne, Stewart, Bowen

The rest are really all pretty close

 

[Slammin_Saint89]

Lol@slamminsam89

Billy Slater is arguably the best player in the game, but he isnt even the best fullback according to you, i agree GI is in great touch at the moment and is extremely talented but please? Better than Slater? SMH.

Arguably the best? Take out Cronk and Smith, and Slater won't win games for any team. Inglis has much less class around him but will single handedly destroy teams when fully fit. Id like to see Slater play in a nuffie team and see how good he really is before everyone sucks him off as being the best.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Arguably the best? Take out Cronk and Smith, and Slater won't win games for any team. Inglis has much less class around him but will single handedly destroy teams when fully fit. Id like to see Slater play in a nuffie team and see how good he really is before everyone sucks him off as being the best.

I think I agree with this.

Screaming up beside Cronk is a bit different to what Slater used to produce individually back when he first hit the scene.

Personally I think B Ryan displayed nrl players, if not just himself, laughing at the notion of Slater being labelled the best player in the game.

Put Hayne or GI at fullback in that Melbourne team and you'd create a menace, imo. Even Barba for that matter.

 

[Loudstrat]

Rated over ALL this season so far:

Slater
Bowen
Barber
Stewart
Hayne
Hoffman
Inglis (only played 4 or so games)
Minichiello
Coote
Locke
Morris (See Inglis)
Moltzen
Dugan (2 or so games - also dropped for ill discipline)
Gardner
Zillman
Boyd

Obviously by the end of the season GI, Morris and Dugan should be higher up. I honstly cant rate them over guys like Bowen, Barber who have been going great all year. I also think Hoffman is going better than most give him credit for, and Boyd had been the dud buy of the season.

Revisit this in September maybe?

 

[Cliffhanger]

Minichiello has been fairly solid this season, he has old man moments. But overall he's probably playing his best football since his back injury.

I don't think it's fair to say Inglis is better than Slater because the quality of players around each player respectively. When Inglis and Slater play for the same team at a rep level and Inglis rarely outplays Slater.

If you haven't sin Slater single-handedly create something for his side this year, then you haven't seen him play many games this season. Slater could be a star in any side, but he would be an idiot to leave Melbourne to play alongside a side of nuffies.

 

[ANTiLAG]

I don't think it's fair to say Inglis is better than Slater because the quality of players around each player respectively. When Inglis and Slater play for the same team at a rep level and Inglis rarely outplays Slater.

Cliffy - I like your posts as a general rule, but surely you're taking the piss here.

Big Pete regularly analyses the Slater claim with particulars, and on Slater, I agree whole heartedly with him.

I'm not saying Slater is a myth, but he is far from the legend that is being spoken of, and not within a cooey of GI's rep record!

 

[DC_fan]

I wouldn't swap Hayne for any player in the comp.

Explains why the Eels are last.

 

[DC_fan]

Cliffy - I like your posts as a general rule, but surely you're taking the piss here.

Big Pete regularly analyses the Slater claim with particulars, and on Slater, I agree whole heartedly with him.

I'm not saying Slater is a myth, but he is far from the legend that is being spoken of, and not within a cooey of GI's rep record!

Billy is a Living Legend.

He is the best fullback I have seen in following the game for 45 years. He has such a variety of skills that I have never seen in a fullback before.

Nothing against other fullbacks of the past or present, but they are not in Billy's class.

 

[typicalfan]

Anyone who says Slater isn't the best fullback in the game is a moron. Sorry but how many reminders do you want? And now people are saying GI is already better because he has lesser players around him? Do we remember when GI was at the Storm.

Slater creates opportunities every week. GI is still learning fullback, he hasn't played any big games at fullback whether it be QLD, Aus or for Souths. Slater is entrenched at fullback in all the rep sides for a reason. Because he is lucky? lol

Slater has been better than Inglis this year even if you are talking this year only and only Storm/Rabbits games. Inglis is a freak but no one at Souths not even Greg would say he is or has been better than Slater.

This year only it would go Slater, Bowen, Inglis, Barba.

 

[H.H]

Cliffy - I like your posts as a general rule, but surely you're taking the piss here.

Big Pete regularly analyses the Slater claim with particulars, and on Slater, I agree whole heartedly with him.

I'm not saying Slater is a myth, but he is far from the legend that is being spoken of, and not within a cooey of GI's rep record!

So on the Big Pete/Ant scale, where does Mini in his prime rate.....and where do you think he'd rate all time if he wasn't cut down in his prime?

I do have a man crush on the bloke, but I reckon his achievements are largely forgotten....and I also think that current day players are thrust into the "best ever" category far too quickly.

If you need to refresh your memory of how ridiculously good the guy was in his prime, please watch and enjoy the below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JcjmnQvv8g

He used to this s**t all the time....at all levels too.

 

[typicalfan]

So on the Big Pete/Ant scale, where does Mini in his prime rate.....and where do you think he'd rate all time if he wasn't cut down in his prime?

I do have a man crush on the bloke, but I reckon his achievements are largely forgotten....and I also think that current day players are thrust into the "best ever" category far too quickly.

If you need to refresh your memory of how ridiculously good the guy was in his prime, please watch and enjoy the below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JcjmnQvv8g

He used to this s**t all the time....at all levels too.

Mini was awesome in his prime, I think he had a few weaknesses but returning the ball and his intensity was always 100% a bit like Billy Slater now.

 

[H.H]

Mini was awesome in his prime, I think he had a few weaknesses but returning the ball and his intensity was always 100% a bit like Billy Slater now.

No coincidence that Slater modelled his game on Mini....a fact not widely known.

 

[ANTiLAG]

So on the Big Pete/Ant scale, where does Mini in his prime rate.....and where do you think he'd rate all time if he wasn't cut down in his prime?

I do have a man crush on the bloke, but I reckon his achievements are largely forgotten....and I also think that current day players are thrust into the "best ever" category far too quickly.

If you need to refresh your memory of how ridiculously good the guy was in his prime, please watch and enjoy the below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JcjmnQvv8g

He used to this s**t all the time....at all levels too.

I find this question very interesting and I suggest you read my post in the SELECT YOUR ALL TIME TEAM - you will see that I mention Young Mini and omit Slater from my list of great fullbacks. And I raise the point, with regards Mal specifically, as how to rate backs after they've lost their pace but carry on playing...

Young Mini > Slater

 

[typicalfan]

No coincidence that Slater modelled his game on Mini....a fact not widely known.

Of course, that is how it is usually done. Slater as a young fullback would naturally look to Mini as the best in the game and model his game on him. Guys like Dugan, Locke, Coote etc would look at Slater in the same way.

I don't think Slater is the best of all time but he is the best I have seen. I think he has better hands than Mini did and probably if anything a bit more intense. But Mini was stronger and could bust the line better.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Based on overall potential and achievement
1. Minichiello
2. Slater
3. The rest

Based on current form
1. Slater
2. Minichiello
3. The rest

:lol: f*ck no ....on both counts!!


1. Slater
2. Inglis
3. Bowen
4. Hayne
5. Hoffman
6. Barba
7. Stewart
8. Dugan
9. Coote
10. Locke
11. Minichello
12. Morris
13. Gardner
14. Zillman
15. Boyd
16. Moltzen

 

[H.H]

I find this question very interesting and I suggest you read my post in the SELECT YOUR ALL TIME TEAM - you will see that I mention Young Mini and omit Slater from my list of great fullbacks. And I raise the point, with regards Mal specifically, as how to rate backs after they've lost their pace but carry on playing...

Young Mini > Slater

Yeah had a look....couple of decent posts from you.....good call on McGrady.....absolute freak and let's not foget he won a Rothmans.

On the fullback subject, I was surprised Lockyer wasn't in more sides....as much as I love Mini, Lockyer is the best I have seen at the back....no one really mentioned Gary Jack as the top defensive FB either....again, I've never seen better as a defender at the back.