Who was the best? A Decade of amazing fullbacks

[JW]

Had Lockyer remained at the back he probably would've taken this out. His running game was brilliant when he was playing there, and with his play making ability on top of that, he'd be hard to match I reckon - despite the flashes of freakishness that others can produce.

Mini takes out the first half of the decade and Slater the latter IMO.

Overall though I'd have to say that Slater gets the chocolates.

 

[DeeJ]

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

Clint Greenshields was better.

 

[Evil_Mush]

Mini for when the Roosters were doing good over the early 00's, Slater for the last few years, although I love seeing Slater getting smashed.


Honourable mentions to McKinnon for those few outstanding games with the Warriors in 07.

 

[Bman26]

Clint Greenshields was better.

HAHA CLASSIC. sh*t i still remember watching him play and trying decide if he was quicker than Covell or not

 

[Southern Rooster]

Minichiello even though I love watching Slater play. Can't split them to be honest. As for Lockyer I am not convinced he would be the player today if he was not moved to 5/8.

As for best fullback ever I rate Graham Eadie the best one I have seen. If you wanted one under the high ball. Glenn Burgess was your man. He is one of the main reason the ball caught on the full in goal is now a 20 metres re start.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

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

I'm not calling in to question his skill at all I agree with your points but there was no way he was winning the Dally M medal over Craig Gower in 2003.

 

[HowHigh]

I'll go with Slater. If Minichello hadn't been out for so long with injuries I think he would have been #1.

 

[to_ddeath]

Early 00s - Lockyer by a mile.
Mid 00s - Minichello
Late 00s to present - Slater.


T.

 

[Non Terminator]

I'm not calling in to question his skill at all I agree with your points but there was no way he was winning the Dally M medal over Craig Gower in 2003.

From memory, Gower finished a point above Fittler, who I think finished a point above Schifcofske.

 

[Non Terminator]

Voted for the two Roosters there. No surprise.
Phillips would have to be the best defensive fullback of the decade despite playing only three years of it. Minichiello was freakish at his best.

 

[CMUX]

Well straight away it is between Slater, Lockyer and Mini. IMO Lockyer is not eligible due to playing 5/8 most of the decade. Had Mini not got injured it would have been interesting to see if Slater would ever of overtaken him as the Australian number 1.

Given Mini’s injury, Slater is the answer… however I still voted for mini

 

[Lambretta]

Weird seeing someone bagging Locky for not being a good defender at fullback.

The fan opinion vs the opposition fan opinion

The fan will elevate the player of his team to a God like status even if he's ordinary so with someone as talented as Lockyer I'm amazed you can even think about his defensive positioning without blowing your load

The opposition fan will jump on every little half error or moment he is beaten as absolute proof the player is a completely talentless nuffie regardless of how many representative jerseys or man of the match awards he has.

 

[chrisD]

Slater, and it's not close.

 

[gUt]

The fan opinion vs the opposition fan opinion

The fan will elevate the player of his team to a God like status even if he's ordinary so with someone as talented as Lockyer I'm amazed you can even think about his defensive positioning without blowing your load

The opposition fan will jump on every little half error or moment he is beaten as absolute proof the player is a completely talentless nuffie regardless of how many representative jerseys or man of the match awards he has.

Who said I can think about his defensive positioning without blowing my load?

 

[gUt]

f**k there it goes.

 

[maple_69]

Clinton Schifcofske deserves a mention as most underrated... his 2003 was absolutely sublime, and he was almost a sure thing to win the Dally M before the awards were cancelled that year.

For the first half of the decade, Schifcofske WAS the Raiders, and he should have played more Origin than he did.

Can't go past Slater as the best. As much as I can't stand the merkin, he's probably the best fullback I've ever seen. Lockyer included.

I think Gower would have got it and Wesser would have given him a mighty run for Best Fullback as well.

I had Minichiello just over Lockyer only because I'd have Lockyer at 5/8 in the team of the decade and he can't play both.

Interestingly no fullback has really had any longevity. Lockyer, Minichiello, Slater, Stewart have all been head and shoulders above for 2/3 years. Hayne, Wesser, Schicofske, Bowen each had a spectacular season but were otherwise only good.

 

[maple_69]

As a side not, this is obviously been a brilliant decade for fullbacks but the signs are good for the next decade with guys like Coote and Dugan in particular looking set to dominate for years to come.

 

[kickback]

I Voted Locky because he took the role of fullback and tranformed it. Was a freak! Slater was 2nd day light 3rd. How did Hayne get any votes he played a hand full of good games at the end of last year thats it. Stewart has been unlucky with injury for the past few seasons but has got the tallent, and mini was a good fullback 5 years ago but has also been unlucky with injury.

 

[LRC]

I reckon if GI played more FB, he would have been the best out of the lot. Even Justin Hodges played some great games at FB.

 

[stormbati]

I think Slater will be the way all the young fullbacks will try and play. So basically, he's changed the way fullbacks play.