Heading into the 2016 season, I’d take Greg Inglis over any fullback in the world. I consider Inglis to be the best fullback in the game for the last few years, especially since Billy Slater started to suffer injuries and started to lose a step or two.
Now, I think James Tedesco is the best fullback in the game and should be named the Australian fullback at for the end of season Four Nations.
While Inglis is having a bit of an dour season, something that isn’t helped by the fact that South Sydney are playing so poorly, it is hard to deny that Tedesco is in a vein of absolutely scintillating form. His try to close out the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon (Which was a bit dodgy at the end!) showed Tedesco’s incredible footwork and his ability to break a game wide open where there is not much on offer from the defensive line.
Tedesco’s speed and acceleration remind me of Billy Slater at his very best, and the next thing I hope to see is a bit of playmaking and a passing game that turns a great fullback into a superstar.
Tedesco is helping to power a Wests Tigers resurgence, led by a group of young, hungry players that look like they will be a powerhouse in the game within a few years time. I like to imagine this Wests Tigers team right now if you added another $900,000 worth of talent to the side, something the clubs will be able to do if they manage to find another club that is willing to take Robbie Farah off of their hands.
Tedesco comes off contract at the end of 2017, and if Jarryd Hayne is worth $1.2 million a season at the age of 28, I can’t even imagine what Tedesco will command. The Wests Tigers will need to open up their wallet wide to keep Tedesco on board. After all, a number of other clubs much be looking at the Wests Tigers fullback and dreaming of seeing him change clubs in 2018.
So, who do you think is the best fullback in the game? Feel free to leave a comment below!
