The Penrith Panthers fullback was making his return after sitting out a number of games.
Panthers fans were very excited for the return of premier fullback Dylan Edwards to help the struggling side, but concerning footage at the end of Thursday night’s game could reveal the fight he faces to retain his NSW jersey. The Panthers were once again shocked after Nathan Cleary struggled to guide his team around the park as the Dolphins ran riot in a 30-12 win.
Penrith are now 1-5 to start the season, but many felt the Dolphins clash was going to be the kick-start the team needed to resurrect their season. Edwards was returning after three games out with a groin injury with Panthers fans aware how important the NSW fullback is to their structure.
Unfortunately, Edwards did little to help the Panthers attack, with Penrith looking clunky after only 15 minutes. And more worryingly, Edwards didn’t look 100 per cent fit upon his return. Edwards looked hampered when at full sprint throughout the game and one telling moment at the end would be a worrying sight for Penrith and NSW fans.
Cleary put a desperate grubber through at around half-way with just one minute left on the clock. Uncharacteristically for the reigning champions, very few kick-chasers put pressure on. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow scooped up the ball and took advantage of a broken line to scoot around the defenders.
And in a split moment, Tabui-Fidow saw a gap and accelerated. The ‘Hammer’ is known as one of the fastest players in the game, but worryingly, Edwards made very little effort to close down the gap at fullback even though he watched the play unfold.
Edwards attempted to accelerate, but Tabui-Fidow went right past him with little effort. While Edwards has returned from injury, it appears he isn’t fully fit and the fullback has struggled for form since the back end of last year. While the Panthers were premiers, Edwards’ form dropped off slightly having carried a knee injury into the NRL finals.
He also played through the pain for his country, before taking time off over the pre-season. But Edwards has not been at full flight since his stellar Origin campaign last year. And if the Panthers are going to turn around their form and make the NRL finals, he will need to be at 100 per cent.
Dylan Edwards shuts down injury concerns
While there was some questions over Edwards’ form, the fullback suggested he was just slightly down on match fitness. “It’s good, groin is good, the body is good. I am just trying to find the lungs early on. So a couple of matches in and I’ll be right,” he said on Channel 9 after the game. The fullback also claimed it was hard watching the Panthers across the last few weeks, but was ready to turn their fortunes around.
“It is a tough watch. You just want to be out there helping. Tough watching when the results go against you…our luck will turn, but we have got to make it turn as well,” he added. While Edwards will be focused on his club footy, he will have plenty of competition for the NSW fullback role this year. And Laurie Daley might have a big call to make.
Dylan Edwards facing battle to retain NSW jersey
Edwards will have plenty of time to prove his fitness and form ahead of coach Daley selecting the NSW team, but his decision won’t be easy. While many would deem Edwards a lock in the No.1 position after last year’s series, his form and fitness have dipped.
Meanwhile, Ryan Papenhuyzen has been sensational for the Storm to start the season with calls for the electric fullback to be given a shot. The 26-year-old has scored five tries in just four appearances this year with Melbourne laying down the marker in 2025. And former NSW captain James Tedesco is also putting up a strong case having been the best player in a poor Roosters team to start the season.
Although NRL commentator Andrew Voss also suggested the Roosters fullback could slot onto the wing with ease due to the injuries to Zac Lomax and Brian To’o. While it remains to be seen if they will be fit come Origin time, the depth for NSW will be challenged in this year’s series.
