As this seemingly never-ending off-season drags on, fans of the game are continuing to talk all things rugby league. From the draw, to away trip plans, to who is best positioned for a run in 2021.
We've decided over to take a look at the Top 10 players in each position.
Today we start with the increasingly important role of fullback.
For the purpose of this, only full-time fullbacks are considered. So for instance despite Cam Munster being a magnificent number one, he is considered a five-eighth.
These are ranked as how we see them right now. i.e. if Darius Boyd were playing, obviously his career far trumps that of say AJ Brimson, however right now I consider the Titans youngster to be the superior fullback.
The below rankings were, at times, razor thin. I had 11 I wanted in this list, so of course one player has missed out. Let us know, were we on the money?
Top TEN best fullbacks in the NRL
Top TEN best wingers in the NRL
Top TEN best centres in the NRL
Top TEN best five-eighths in the NRL
Top TEN best second-rowers in the NRL
2. Ryan Papenhuyzen
The Clive Churchill medallist was evidently the smallest of margins away from an Origin debut. Hindsight is easy, however it's hard to see the decider going the way it did if Papenhuyzen was named on the bench.
How are these for stats: 20 appearances for 11 tries, 15 try assists, 15 line breaks, 70 tackle breaks, 194 running metres per game and two medals around his neck. All at the age of 22.
There's a line of thinking that he hasn't done enough in his young career to place higher than the Turbos and RTS' of the world, however I'd argue as of this very moment that Papenhuyzen is the second fullback picked in any side in the world.
If these are the current best fullbacks in the game based on pure quality when at their best then Turbo Tommy has to be 2nd best behind Teddy.
Canโt disagree with those players too much. However, if Staines can overcome his hamstring problems & got the fullback role. Heโd be going up in the top ten fullbacks list quickly.
I just wonder if Papenhuyzen may have just beaten Tedesco to the top spot in 2020? Given what he did for Melbourne & that they were the premiers & all.