Over the past decade-or-so, we've seen the fullback role both change and increase in importance.
Fullbacks are now expected to have the ballplaying skills of halves, the running metres of forwards, and try scoring abilities of wingers.
We're in a golden age of Rugby League fullbacks. 2022 saw a number of brilliant performances in the custodial role.
Below we look at the ten best performances by fullbacks in 2022. To be eligible, the player in question must have played fullback in more games than he did another position.
Please note this is a best of 2022 list and not necessarily the best fullbacks in the game. For example, Tom Trbojevic won't feature below despite being undisputedly in the top two or three fullbacks in the game.
10. Jake Averillo
Jake Averillo was an absolute revelation late in the Dogs season as he took the number one jumper. He played his final 10 games of the year at fullback and I believe produced his career best footy.
He crossed for seven tries, out of the nine he scored in 2022, at the back and added a dimension the Dogs severely lacked prior to his shift.
The 22-year-old looks to have a very bright future now that he has finally found his best spot in the side.
Look for a big year in 2023 under Cameron Ciraldo. His stats will improve given more time in the role but the ten games he played there lead to a big improvement in the Dogs overall.
You could put the top four in any order and I would not disagree with your conclusion. There is little to choose between any of them. All excellent players.