NRL FULLBACK POWER RANKINGS 1-17: RANKING THE COMPETITION'S BEST IN 2024

There's a reason fullbacks get paid more than any other position across the NRL.

Arguably the most influential player on the team, a good one will organise your defence, carry the ball like a forward, pass like a half, run like a winger and so much more.

A great one can often be the difference between two competition points and a long week on the training track.

MORE: 2024 NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club

We've had a crack at ranking the 17 best fullbacks in the NRL.

Note: These rankings were based off a combination of recent form, overall body of work, availability and a healthy dose of the vibe.

Here's who we think are the best 17 fullbacks in the comp:

17. Will Kennedy

Before we start, we're not saying Will Kennedy is the worst fullback in the comp - there are plenty of regular NRL fullbacks that didn't make this list.

The 27-year-old Cronulla man continues to be a serviceable first-choice for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

Kennedy can occasionally be found wanting when it comes to his defensive positioning and he doesn't have the line-breaking ability or ball-playing of some of the more productive fullbacks but you can be pretty sure what you're going to get most weeks.

16. Keano Kini

Not sure if this is a controversial pick or not as he's only played a handful of games but the 20-year-old Titan looks to be the real deal.

Among the smaller players in the position and still with plenty of work to do on his defence, Kini's attacking prowess is there for all to see.

If you don't believe us, go back and watch him and Jayden Campbell tear apart the Warriors in round 16.

15. Tyrell Sloan

The fullback spot has long been an issue for the Dragons but in 22-year-old Sloan there are signs that they may have found a long-term answer for the position.

With nine tries and seven try assists so far in 2024, Sloan has played an important role in putting St George Illawarra in position to challenge for the finals.

Should he continue to improve on his current trajectory under Shane Flanagan, particularly in consistency and defence, the Red V should be in safe hands at the back for the foreseeable future.

14. Clint Gutherson

In previous years "King Gutho" may well have found himself around the top five of lists like this.

Unfortunately, much like the fortunes of the Eels, it hasn't been an enjoyable season for the 29-year-old.

Gutherson is renowned for his hard work and courage, often playing through injury when others wouldn't, unfortunately that appears to have impacted his offensive production in 2024.

Still one of the busiest fullbacks getting around, don't be surprised to see Gutherson return to his best now that Mitchell Moses is back in the team.

13. Jahream Bula

While Tigers fans haven't had a whole lot to smile about in recent years, the emergence of Bula at fullback is cause for optimism.

The 22-year-old immediately looked comfortable when stepping into first grade last year and his contributions have only grown in 2024.

Should Benji Marshall and Co. get the right players around him, look for Bula to be a key cog in any future Tigers' success.

12. AJ Brimson

Among several key players at the Titans who have struggled to remain on the park in recent seasons but there's no denying the quality of Brimson when he's playing consistent footy.

With four Origin appearances for Queensland to his name, the 25-year-old has proven to be a damaging runner as well as a creative ball-player when required.

A victim of his own versatility at times, Brimson is often the player moved out of position to accommodate his teammates.

11. Ryan Papenhuyzen

One of the most electrifying game-breakers in the NRL, unfortunately for Ryan Papenhuyzen, he's also one of the unluckiest.

The Storm man just hasn't been able to get a clean run at it over the past few years, dealing with knee and ankle injuries which have limited him to just 19 games in first grade since the start of 2022.

Already a Clive Churchill Medal winner, getting the 26-year-old and his sharp turn of foot back on the field, and keeping him there, could be the difference in Melbourne's premiership hopes.

10. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

In his first year since returning to the club, the Warriors fullback was a key part of the team's surge up the ladder in 2023.

Bringing plenty of energy as well as class in attack and courage in defence, Nicoll-Klokstad's absence was felt through the opening month of this season.

Rarely poor, often great.

9. Latrell Mitchell

A rampaging Latrell Mitchell might be the game's most intimidating figure.

When at his best, the South Sydney man expertly treads the line between brutality and finesse in attack, while his intensity in defence is as bruising as it comes.

Discipline and injury have meant he's yet to play more than 17 games in a season since joining the Bunnies, while his fitness isn't at the level of some rival fullbacks in a modern NRL which demands so much of the position.

That being said, if he played at centre every week and we were ranking centres, he'd probably be number one.

8. Joseph Manu

Such is the embarrassment of backline riches at the Roosters, Joseph Manu comes in as our eighth best fullback yet he doesn't play there at club level.

First-choice number one for the Kiwis, Manu has proved time and again when called upon he's just as, if not more damaging, at the back as he is at centre.

A tackle-busting, line-breaking, try-scoring machine, Manu will make the switch to rugby union at season's end, leaving a big hole for the Roosters to fill.

7. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

There are few better sights in rugby league than "The Hammer" at full flight.

Quite possibly the fastest player in the NRL, the Dolphins fullback's acceleration and top-end speed make him an offensive weapon of the highest order - just ask the Blues how they coped with him when he replaced Reece Walsh at fullback in Game 1.

Lacks the defensive ability and isn't as creative as some of the blokes above him but at 22 he's got plenty of time to work on the rest of his game.

6. Scott Drinkwater

The Cowboys custodian is one of the rare examples of a young player who left Melbourne and enjoyed success at their new club.

Now a key part of the North Queensland side, Drinkwater has been in Blues discussions for several seasons now and saw him named as part of the extended squad last season.

Having played plenty of footy in the halves, Drinkwater is one of the more creative fullbacks around and he currently leads the NRL in line break assists.

5. Tom Trbojevic

One of the harder decisions on the list was where to place "Turbo."

At his best, a solid argument can be made that he's at the top of the pile.

Unfortunately, his body has let him down time and again.

Since 2018, the most games he's played in an NRL season is 18 in 2021 - the same year he scored 28 tries and won the Dally M in a canter despite giving his rivals a massive head start.

That version of Trbojevic is probably the most dominant player we've seen in the competition in recent times.

Can the 27-year-old get back to that level? Manly's plan is to ease him back from his latest hamstring injury by playing him at centre when he returns to first grade. 

4. James Tedesco

Now 31, the Roosters skipper mightn't be quite as dominant as he once was, but he's not far off.

Still among the best players on the field most weeks, Tedesco's impact on his team remains hugely influential.

Despite losing his place in the NSW Blues side, he performed admirably when a Dylan Edwards injury saw him earn a recall for Game 1.

Ranked in the top five for tackle breaks, line break assists and run metres, he's still very much a force to be reckoned with and looks hellbent on leading the Roosters deep into the finals.

3. Kalyn Ponga

Could quite easily find himself at the top of this list but he just hasn't been able to play enough footy lately.

After missing a big chunk at the start of the 2023 season, his return helped inspire the Knights to a semi final, earning him the Dally M Medal for his individual efforts.

The 26-year-old's speed and footwork is enough to leave defenders snatching at air, while he's just as likely to put one of his outside men through with a pin-point pass.

Due to return in round 18, can he drag Newcastle to another finals berth?

2. Reece Walsh

The Brisbane Broncos fullback's level of stardom in the game is currently unmatched and still just 21, the sky is the limit.

While his blistering speed and flashy skills (and those eyes) make him the most popular player in the competition, he's also happy to get down and dirty when required.

He's earned the starting spot in Billy Slater's Queensland side on the back of his attacking prowess but, much like his Origin coach, bravery in defence is also a key feature of Walsh's game.

1. Dylan Edwards

It's taken a while for the Penrith number one to get the same plaudits as some of his contemporaries but, after three straight premierships, Edwards is now recognised among the very best in the game.

Having now made his long-awaited Origin debut, the 28-year-old looked right at home in rugby league's toughest arena.

Remarkably durable and with seemingly endless energy, Edwards' game mightn't have the flash of some of the others on this list, but his ability to make an impact in any area of the field, for all 80 minutes, earns him top spot on our list.

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