With the off-season comes plenty of time to both look into the future, and also behind you.
Today we will do the latter, as we look at the performances from fullbacks in 2024.
The custodian role now is arguably second only to the halfback spot in terms of importance. An elite fullback often proves the difference between the genuine contenders and the rest.
Please note that the below are based purely on 2024 efforts. It is not a list of who is the best fullback, but who had the best 2024.
Games played will factor, as will being shifted positionally etc.
These are just for fun and discussion. Please treat them as such.
With that said, below are the top 10 fullbacks from the 2024 season:
Honourable mention - Reece Walsh: I almost included Walsh on the back of 14 tries, eight try assists, 13 line-breaks and 154 running metres, in just 14 games. I can be talked into him being in the top ten but misses out by the slimmest of margins.
The former Shark utility really found a home at the back for the Dogs in 2024. He started the season on the wing but soon became the obvious number one at number one in blue and white.
Across his 22 games, 20 of which came at fullback, Tracey scored seven tries, assisted 11, made nine line-breaks, broke 78 tackles and recorded 181 run metres per game.
Tracey was far better in the role than he had any right to be. That may sound like a cop out but the former half turn utility turn outside back looked right at home in the fullback role.
With Chrichton, Burton and Kikau on the books, Tracey will often flow under the radar but he was very, very good for the Dogs in 2024.
There is a good chance the Hammer finishes higher on the list here had he not been shifted to the centres late in the season.
16 appearances this year saw him bag 15 tries, make ten line-breaks, break 80 tackles and run for 165 metres per game.
He scored one of the tries of the season against the Sharks, beating almost every member of the Sharks defence, more than once, to ultimately win the game for his side.
An incredible season for the Fins fullback turn centre. He was also brilliant for Queensland and should start for the Kangaroos.
I was absolutely shocked to hear that the King is being shopped about by the Eels. He is the heart and soul of the club.
This year Gutherson ran out 21 times for his beloved Eels for a return of nine tries, 15 try assists, nine line-breaks and 168 run metres per game.
In an otherwise pretty dire season for the Eels, Gutherson can hold his head high.
Considering how much of the season Gutherson played hurt, his efforts were Herculean!
The Titans custodian emerged as one of the genuine highlights of an otherwise below par season for those on the holiday strip.
I believe his performance were such that the Titans have finally found their long-term fullback, with Jayden Campbell moving into the halves.
Across 16 games Kini crossed for six tries, assisted a further seven, make 10 line-breaks, broke 66 tackles and ran for a ridiculous 212 metres per game.
Kini was named in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships and may start at fullback. This caps off a wonder season for the wonder kid.
I think I speak for every rugby league fan when I say it is great to have Papenhuyzen back on the park!
Despite a few injury scares, the Storm maestro managed 20 games this year for 13 tries, 11 try assists, 19 line-breaks, 76 tackle breaks and 120 run metres per game.
Papenhuyzen played a massive part in the Storm's Minor Premiership run. He stepped up in the absence of Cameron Munster as a chief playmaker.
I cannot believe the season he produced, considering his career had looked in serious jeopardy on more than one occasion previously.
The 2023 Dally M medalist couldn't re-produce his historic heights of last season, but boy did he come close.
The Knights were a Will Kennedy knockdown from hosting a Final and a Dane Gagai drop from winning a Final. They were only there due to Ponga.
Although he only ran out 16 times this year for the Knights he still had 11 try assists, 99 tackle breaks, 17 libe-breaks and 171 run metres per game. His three tries are a let down for a player of his quality.
Ponga didn't have enough help in either 2023 or 2024, yet he still dragged his side to two straight Finals appearances.
To the shock of absolutely nobody, Tom Trbojevic had yet another massive season in 2024.
He finished fourth overall in the Dally M count despite playing only 18 regular season games.
In those 18 games (plus two Finals) he had 17 tries, 17 try assists, 16 line-breaks, 82 tackle breaks and 190 running metres per game.
You have to believe Turbo being fit for another few games may have seen the Sea Eagles finish in the top four.
I'm looking forward to seeing him return to the rep arena for the Kangaroos, but Manly fans will be holding their breath if he runs out.
The Panthers, Blues and soon to be Kangaroos fullback had yet another magnificent season.
He ran out 20 times for his club side in 2024 for a return of 10 tries, seven try assists, 10 line-breaks, 127 tackle breaks and 231 metres per game.
There aren't recorded stats but I'm sure he's in the top three under the high ball and positionally the second best fullback in the competition, at worst.
Edwards doesn't produce the flashy highlights of some others on here but there is no one I'd rather have running out for my state and country.
He is a huge reason why the Panthers have been so dominant for so long.
The Cowboys number one continues getting better and better. He is now, arguably, the best ball-playing fullback in the competition.
Across his 26 appearances for the Cowboys in 2024 he scored 10 tries, laid on 26 try assists, make 15 line-breaks, made 115 tackle breaks and ran for 161 metres per game.
He was his side's second attacking option after Tom Dearden. Some would argue he was their number one threat!
Drinkwater improved defensively this season however it's this aspect of his game that saw him overlooked for James Tedesco for Origin One.
If Drinkwater can make those last ditch tackles, he may very well be on track to rival Edwards and Tedesco in 2025.
Up until Tedesco polled low in his team's loss to the Raiders on Awards night, I thought Tedesco was going to be awarded the Dally M medal.
He also won our Zero Tackle Player of the Year award.
In simple terms, James Tedesco was an absolute monster in 2024 and, for mine, clearly the best fullback in the competition this season.
In his 25 appearances for the tri-colours he crossed for 17 tries, had 24 try assists, made 24 line-breaks, broke 162 tackles and ran for just under 200 metres per game.
Earlier in the year there were talks of him shifting to make way for Joseph Manu.
Safe to say the Roosters skipper responded as well as he possibly could have in leading his side to a preliminary final.