We've seen the supporting fullback dominate the game for a long time. That role has evolved and it was Billy Slater who began that. He began to act as the link between his halves and the outside backs. Using his speed to keep defences in two minds and either providing the final pass or beating the defence with his pace.
Then defenders and coaches began to get wise. They realised that players like Slater and Brett Stewart are going to do one of two things; take the line on, or pass the ball. Their kicking games aren't terrific and they don't have a massive physical presence.
So defences simply decided that they'd no longer back-off. Instead they come up and look to nullify that running option or simply cover the winger. Don't get me wrong, Slater and Stewart can still punish you given enough room. But they are no longer at the forefront of the fullback battle.
Jarryd Hayne and Greg Inglis have taken fullback play to a whole new level. Both men weigh over 100 kilograms, both stand tall, have sublime passing games, can kick and have speed to burn. Both have spent time in the halves.
When they get the ball teams panic because they don't know what's coming. When you have a guy as skillful and as big as those two, it's always going to be hard to defend them.
I have often heard of people saying Slater is the complete package. But I'd say that Inglis and Hayne have something that Slater doesn't. Goal-line presence; a fullback who can hold up a forward one-on-one through pure strength.
The idea of booting the ball dead arrived not because of Slater, but because of Hayne. The occasional team would put the ball dead to nullify Slater but it wasn't a competition wide tactic. Then Hayne began carving teams up in 2009 on kick returns. Often breaking through solid tackles and sprinting up field.
In 2010 we saw teams rock up against Parra and simply boot the ball dead. That began in Round One of 2010 against St George with Jamie Soward doing everything possible to prevent Hayne from returning the ball.
Fullbacks were once the guys who hung around out the back, looking for the gap to go through. But when you look at Inglis and Hayne they aren't necessarily wanting a gap in the defensive line, they just want enough time to create something.
Hayne and Inglis are two players who can rip teams apart when they're in a mood. They're a threat with ball in hand and teams scramble to defend them.
I guarantee that in the next decade you will see more teams favouring the big, skillful fullbacks in much the same way they have embraced the speedy and powerful wingers.
Replies
He played at 5/8, he does have a ball-playing game even if he doesn't use it as much as Hayne.
Great post SuperEel..Agree with everything said. the perfect comparisons. it would be Slater vs Stewart and Inglis vs Hayne.. the complete packages all up. and it might just be me being bias but Hayne looks to be more of a complete package simply because of the outstanding passing game he has as a fullback. No other full back in the game has that, together with speed, strength and freakish ability. Inglis definitely the closest in regards to complete packages when they're on..on a side note, If Hayne is picked in Centres, lined up against Inglis side, what a battle that would be for the fans!!! Two most influential players from each state lining up against each other in attack AND defence!! that said, PLEASE PICK HAYNE AT FULLBACK!!!
A bit like Hodges has a passing game BAHAHAHA
Hayne is far better than slater.
Slater was a frikin jockey before.
He has a looooong kicking game, but I'm not sure he'd count a short kicking game amongst his many talents. Doesn't really count.
Jarryd runs around you, Inglis runs through you.
I kind of agree with those two points. Hayne looks for a half gap or a slow player to run around. Inglis though has that bit more size and just tries to run through defences.
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