Who was the best? A Decade of amazing fullbacks

[chefman21]

The post SL era has ben nototious for picking name players, but they got the winning side at least. Long gone was the chance of a Paul Dun type medal. I dunno which Bronco - if any - was better on the day, but Phillips defence was phenomenal - and to a level Lockyer never achieved. And Rosters fans will back me up on that.

And being one of the best defensive fullbacks - there were only 16 at the time ffs! Still not a patch on Jack in defence.

He kicked no deeper than Benny wanted his halves to stand anyway.

Heather in those years was a pivot in attack, standing outside a slowing Walters (who was always sublime with the ball), because they couldn't find a decent half to save themselves. And heather played slightly wider than the typical pivot, and came in at speed. Still, when he put the 6 jumper on he took a few years to find his feet.

In defence as a fullback, yes, a fine cover defender. As a front on defender, ask Joe Gulavau about the time they put a speedbump on the field for a test match.

That's because he's utter crap. Peach, Luke Burt and probably even Inglis deserve a mantion befre that nuffy.

Yep. The more I reflect the more I think that he moved us up three or four positions on the ladder just from his defence and bravery. He saved a fair few games for us which put us in a position to win.

 

[Parra Guru]

I voted Slater for the best of the decade.

Hayne also got a vote from me for best year in 2009. NOTHING any of those other guys did will compare to Hayne's golden year.

In terms of the top 3, I can't disagree with Slater, Locky and Mini being up there. Although I won't blow my load over Lockyer like a lot of other people here do. To me he will go down as a great player who achieved a lot more than others because he wouldn't let go of his rep jerseys.

 

[Jason Maher]

Despite what I said previously, I still vote for Ben Hornby. ;-)

 

[typicalfan]

Weird seeing someone bagging Locky for not being a good defender at fullback. His cover tackling was second to none. The other thing I believe Lockyer did better than anyone I've seen is tactical/positional kicks from the back. To have such a long and accurate boot standing deep was an asset.

Slater would be the best hole runner in game and his tenacity and competitiveness that annoys so many league fans allows his best athletic qualities to shine.

Mini was a unique sort of a runner. Hit holes beautifully but was rarely tackled by the first player to try. He helped his forwards out the most of those in the list with his returns.

No surprise that the AFL player is stone motherless last.

Hunt was good when returning the ball back with gusto, a bit like Hayne now.

But to be fair some of these fullbacks destroy him in terms of overall talent. Lockyer, Minichiello, Hodgson, Slater, Stewart, Schifcofske, Hornby, Hayne etc are all more natural ball players or more natural support players.

It is uncanny how Soward and his long kicking game reminds me of Lockyer back in the day. No surprise who the coach is.

 

[The 18th Man]

It was definitely a great decade for fullback, perhaps the best ever?

Slater gets my vote, he basically out-lived the other fullbacks who were either plagued with injuries, swapped codes or swapped positions.

Best individual year has to go to Bowen in 2007 though. He was truly awesome that year.

Best individual performance has to go to Hodgson in Origin 1 2002, he was untouchable that night.

Surprised not to see the Peach there.

:? Hodgson was good that night but you're going out on a big limb to suggest that performance was the best of the decade by a fullback. With out too much thought going in to it, Darren Lockyer as an example the year before was as dominant ever in the 2001 decider. I am sure there are other contenders.

Fullback of the decade: Billy Slater just pipping Anthony Minichiello who would perhaps have took it if he didn't have a lean run with injuries.

 

[Loudstrat]

The interesting thing about these fullbacks is that of the ones that represented Origin or above, only Slater has not had his career cut short by injury, or a move away from that position. Slater gets the Roos jumper by default, after Heather went to pivot, Mini (incumbent) got injured, Bowen hit injuries before he could shake cutie (who copped injuries), and was replaced by Snake (who copped a court cans AND injuries)! So injuries basically ended the rep ambitions of all but one of the contenders!

Cannot remember bad injuries to Hodgeson, who surely must be the most underrated of the above.

 

[Raiders_Premiers]

:lol: hilarious stuff.

How?

Schifcofske was an amazing fullback. Great ball runner and one of the best defenders I think I've ever seen at the back. He should be on this list

 

[Big Pete]

:? Hodgson was good that night but you're going out on a big limb to suggest that performance was the best of the decade by a fullback.

I'm really not.

390m something like 5 linebreaks, it was a brilliant performance and can only be rivaled by the likes of Hayne in 09 and Lockyer 01-03.

 

[Meth]

Geez, that list should be much shorter.

Gidley, Patten, Dugan, Wesser, Campbell, Hornby, Hodgson, Phillips, Boyd and McKinnon aren't worth considering

 

[The 18th Man]

I'm really not.

390m something like 5 linebreaks, it was a brilliant performance and can only be rivaled by the likes of Hayne in 09 and Lockyer 01-03.

Each to their own, we all have our opinion. Hodgson was stunning in that game, though I don't think it was the best by any fullback of the decade. Kudo's for mention of Hayne in 09. I think he is in the debate for most dominant performance for a player let alone a fullback.

As for Clinton Schifcofske, he deserves his place in any converstaion here. If it wasn't for an era of particulary GREAT fullbacks for QLD, Schifcofske was 15 plus Origin player. Superb player, underrated by most outside of Canberra.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Billy Slater without a doubt. I wish he would get injured when he plays us..........carves us to ribbons every time.

 

[besthalfbackPEARCE]

Billy Slater without a doubt. I wish he would get injured when he plays us..........carves us to ribbons every time.

That's probably cause your team is rubbish.

Minichiello has been by far the best fullback. Reliable and consistent until his injury, and has regained form this year. There's no comparison.

 

[The 18th Man]

That's probably cause your team is rubbish.

Minichiello has been by far the best fullback. Reliable and consistent until his injury, and has regained form this year. There's no comparison.

That's just silly or to borrow a word from you, "rubbish". I am a big Mini fan but to dismiss some of the names being thrown about here is rather ignorant on your part.

 

[Bman26]

I'm surprised that the old "Slater makes to many errors" argument hasn't come up.

Slater for mine, even if i wasn't a storm fan the two takes on sunday against the kumuls in the wet sum up what slater is all about. 100 mile an hour football with a few risks but the risks are always to be of maximum benefit to the team.

Also thought he was brilliant in in the 07 GF.

 

[simostorm]

Billy Slater with a beard = Jesus.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Billy Slater is hopeless

 

[Loudstrat]

How?

Schifcofske was an amazing fullback. Great ball runner and one of the best defenders I think I've ever seen at the back. He should be on this list

Have to agree with the defence comments. He was great at the back for us in the pervious decade - and a far better defender than Heather. Problem was he was a bit slow in returns - but maybe that was Brian Smith.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Have to agree with the defence comments. He was great at the back for us in the pervious decade - and a far better defender than Heather. Problem was he was a bit slow in returns - but maybe that was Brian Smith.

Not a fan of the "Schif-shuffle"?

It's beyond me how he used to beat so many defenders with that move. But hey, whatever works.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

That's probably cause your team is rubbish.

Minichiello has been by far the best fullback. Reliable and consistent until his injury, and has regained form this year. There's no comparison.

With a name like "besthalfbackPEARCE", I know not to take you seriously.

 

[The 18th Man]

Have to agree with the defence comments. He was great at the back for us in the pervious decade - and a far better defender than Heather. Problem was he was a bit slow in returns - but maybe that was Brian Smith.

But was always near the top of the meters gained stat in the NRL ;-)