Official William Kennedy

[HaroldBishop]

Oh, and recent evidence suggests that Pap is not a star player when his team is not making 15 line breaks per game.

Yep

 

[BurgoShark]

Was just a quick list to illustrate my point that Kennedy is a middle of the road NRL fullback. Where would you place each player?

Papz was never 100% after returning from injury. Lotta injury-plagued fullbacks this year. Maybe Kennedy deserves points for durability?

I think there are four star fullbacks in the game (Mitchell, Ponga, Tedesco and Trbojevic).

Then there are two more groups: established and “still getting established”. WK belongs in the established group. Walsh belongs in the other one. That's about all you need to say. WK is a "middle of the road" fullback in that he is not one of the best 4, but also not one of the bottom 4 or 5.

You are also calling out the most important "fullback things" as the ones other guys do well. There are a half a dozen things WK does better than Brimson imo, but Brimson is certainly better at sniffing around the ruck and supporting a half break.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I think there are four star fullbacks in the game (Mitchell, Ponga, Tedesco and Trbojevic).

Then there are two more groups: established and “still getting established”. WK belongs in the established group. Walsh belongs in the other one. That's about all you need to say. WK is a "middle of the road" fullback in that he is not one of the best 4, but also not one of the bottom 4 or 5.

You are also calling out the most important "fullback things" as the ones other guys do well. There are a half a dozen things WK does better than Brimson imo, but Brimson is certainly better at sniffing around the ruck and supporting a half break.

Ponga might be a star fullback but he's not deserving of it imo until he becomes more consistent. 3 or 4 good games a season doesn't cut it.

 

[BurgoShark]

Ponga might be a star fullback but he's not deserving of it imo until he becomes more consistent. 3 or 4 good games a season doesn't cut it.

Yeah - fair call.

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

Ponga might be a star fullback but he's not deserving of it imo until he becomes more consistent. 3 or 4 good games a season doesn't cut it.

Ponga needs to be way more consistent. I think's he overrated, IMO.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

Ponga might be a star fullback but he's not deserving of it imo until he becomes more consistent. 3 or 4 good games a season doesn't cut it.

You also need to take into account price. Ponga on 1 mil a season, compared to WK on 5-600k...I would take WK and use the money elsewhere.

 

[Sevshark]

I think there are four star fullbacks in the game (Mitchell, Ponga, Tedesco and Trbojevic).

Then there are two more groups: established and “still getting established”. WK belongs in the established group. Walsh belongs in the other one. That's about all you need to say. WK is a "middle of the road" fullback in that he is not one of the best 4, but also not one of the bottom 4 or 5.

You are also calling out the most important "fullback things" as the ones other guys do well. There are a half a dozen things WK does better than Brimson imo, but Brimson is certainly better at sniffing around the ruck and supporting a half break.

I would still say Edwards is a step above those other established players.

 

[Jaz]

I think there are four star fullbacks in the game (Mitchell, Ponga, Tedesco and Trbojevic).

Then there are two more groups: established and “still getting established”. WK belongs in the established group. Walsh belongs in the other one. That's about all you need to say. WK is a "middle of the road" fullback in that he is not one of the best 4, but also not one of the bottom 4 or 5.

You are also calling out the most important "fullback things" as the ones other guys do well. There are a half a dozen things WK does better than Brimson imo, but Brimson is certainly better at sniffing around the ruck and supporting a half break.

I think "middle of the road" is making it sound more disparaging than I meant. I also think Papenhauzen probably deserves to be in that top tier given how up and down the rest of those players have been this year.

Tough year for fullbacks. Teddy probably finishes the season as the number one #1, but even he started the year slow and IMO is past his prime.

Salary aside, which fullbacks would you swap Kennedy for?

 

[BurgoShark]

I think "middle of the road" is making it sound more disparaging than I meant. I also think Papenhauzen probably deserves to be in that top tier given how up and down the rest of those players have been this year.

Tough year for fullbacks. Teddy probably finishes the season as the number one #1, but even he started the year slow and IMO is past his prime.

Salary aside, which fullbacks would you swap Kennedy for?

I disagree, but I've never rated Papenhuyzen as high as most. I think he is the perfect compliment to a good team, but can't put his team on his back like those other 3.

... and Pap is the poster boy for "up and down". Against Manly he was the worst player on the field for 70 minutes and then the best for 10.

I would still say Edwards is a step above those other established players.

I agree with this too, but I wouldn't call Edwards a star. He's an established player who is great at his job, but you wouldn't break the bank for him.

 

[Wiz]

I disagree, but I've never rated Papenhuyzen as high as most. I think he is the perfect compliment to a good team, but can't put his team on his back like those other 3.

... and Pap is the poster boy for "up and down". Against Manly he was the worst player on the field for 70 minutes and then the best for 10.


I agree with this too, but I wouldn't call Edwards a star. He's an established player who is great at his job, but you wouldn't break the bank for him.

100%

Panthers very lucky to have him come up with them, he won’t break the bank but will do everything possible to make his efforts count

 

[andrew's_sharks]

100%

Panthers very lucky to have him come up with them, he won’t break the bank but will do everything possible to make his efforts count

Exactly and what people need to understand is WK knows our systems and way we play, I wouldn't be hastily making a change. He is a good reliable fullback

 

[bort]

Better guide would be rate all fullbacks 1-5 on

Durability
Ball Playing
Positioning
Organising Defence
Support Play
High Kick Safety
Offensive Kick Positioning
Hard Yards
Contract Value
X-Factor

Score out of 50

Just quick thought so may have missed a category or two that should be there.

Also on Edwards, fantastic for Panthers and definitely a good fullback but if it was the dying seconds and they need a try do they look to him? I think that's why he's not in same tier as your Latrell, Turbo, Teddy & Pongas.
Also never seen him singlehandedly keep Panthers in the game or win a game like those guys do.
He's good but he's not a match winner. He wouldn't let you down in Origin but you'd take the three other NSW guys all well before him without much discussion.

 

[Wiz]

Better guide would be rate all fullbacks 1-5 on

Durability
Ball Playing
Positioning
Organising Defence
Support Play
High Kick Safety
Offensive Kick Positioning
Hard Yards
Contract Value
X-Factor

Score out of 50

Just quick thought so may have missed a category or two that should be there.

Also on Edwards, fantastic for Panthers and definitely a good fullback but if it was the dying seconds and they need a try do they look to him? I think that's why he's not in same tier as your Latrell, Turbo, Teddy & Pongas.
Also never seen him singlehandedly keep Panthers in the game or win a game like those guys do.
He's good but he's not a match winner. He wouldn't let you down in Origin but you'd take the three other NSW guys all well before him without much discussion.

Nah I’ve seen him in their games - his try line defence/one on one tackles and carries from kicks change things for them, that goes a long way in starting your momentum and stopping the other teams momentum which means they have to reset/start all over again.

Those things are massive

 

[HaroldBishop]

Nah I’ve seen him in their games - his try line defence/one on one tackles and carries from kicks change things for them, that goes a long way in starting your momentum and stopping the other teams momentum which means they have to reset/start all over again.

Those things are massive

Tend to agree, he changes the game in different ways for them.

Very, very underrated.

 

[Sparkles]

Nah I’ve seen him in their games - his try line defence/one on one tackles and carries from kicks change things for them, that goes a long way in starting your momentum and stopping the other teams momentum which means they have to reset/start all over again.

Those things are massive

Yep, I'd agree. And his role in that team isn't to carry them. That's Cleary's, Luai's and Yeo's job. To'o too.
It is Ponga's job. And Paps in a lot of ways... that Storm team was completely different without his speed off Munster tearing up the edges.

 

[BurgoShark]

Yep, I'd agree. And his role in that team isn't to carry them. That's Cleary's, Luai's and Yeo's job. To'o too.
It is Ponga's job. And Paps in a lot of ways... that Storm team was completely different without his speed off Munster tearing up the edges.

All Storm fans I know reckon they were actually better last year when Hynes played fullback.

 

[Sparkles]

All Storm fans I know reckon they were actually better last year when Hynes played fullback.

Interesting... they're more fickle than we are. Though Victorians think Victoria is the best State...

 

[bort]

Yep, I'd agree. And his role in that team isn't to carry them. That's Cleary's, Luai's and Yeo's job. To'o too.
It is Ponga's job. And Paps in a lot of ways... that Storm team was completely different without his speed off Munster tearing up the edges.

For sure, but if he was good enough to carry them it would become part of his role.
If you're not forcing the ball in his hands when the game is on the line, and him delivering, then he's a tier below the others IMO.

Maybe Ponga down a level too due to inconsistency at other times, Edwards consistency is very high level. On the Jaz list I think Edwards goes up to B, I'd probably bump Trell up, Pap maybe down if you want to factor durability.

Here's an interesting question. If you swapped him and Ponga who would be better off?
They contribute in different ways so I can find a way to argue for either, or neither. Obviously can't truly know what the correct answer is as we have seen Ponga perform in good teams (Qld) but never how Edwards goes for a struggler.

All Storm fans I know reckon they were actually better last year when Hynes played fullback.

Yeah a lot of ones I see would have rather kept Hynes too

 

[Milkshark]

All Storm fans I know reckon they were actually better last year when Hynes played fullback.

I believe Storm were also

 

[Jaz]

@burgess1978 Agree he was quiet and tentative in the manly game, but it was his first game back from injury. Yes he's the beneficiary of a great team.