Over the past decade-or-so, we've seen the fullback role both change and increase in importance.
Fullbacks are now expected to have the ballplaying skills of halves, the running metres of forwards, and try scoring abilities of wingers.
We're in a golden age of Rugby League fullbacks. 2022 saw a number of brilliant performances in the custodial role.
Below we look at the ten best performances by fullbacks in 2022. To be eligible, the player in question must have played fullback in more games than he did another position.
Please note this is a best of 2022 list and not necessarily the best fullbacks in the game. For example, Tom Trbojevic won't feature below despite being undisputedly in the top two or three fullbacks in the game.
1. Dylan Edwards
Dylan Edwards was the best fullback in 2022. That's the statement! Keeping in mind the talent mentioned above. Edwards was cream of a magnificent crop.
There may have been no more deserving Clive Churchill medallist in recent memory. Also take into account he won the Panthers POTY award in a squad containing a few handy players.
His 223 metres run per game might as well be 500 it's so important. No fullback takes the hard runs with more pleasure than the Panthers number one.
He also scored nine tries, laid on seven try assists, broke 126 tackles, made 12 breaks and tackled at over 85%, including arguably the greatest tackle I've ever seen on Grand Final night.
You could put the top four in any order and I would not disagree with your conclusion. There is little to choose between any of them. All excellent players.