Looking purely at the numbers this season, not a lot separates Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco. But there’s one area where Blues coach Michael Maguire believes the Penrith fullback can revolutionise his attack.
In the final minute of the final game of an all-square State of Origin series five years ago, as Blake Ferguson and his crooked nose ran down the sideline looking for a blue jumper in support, he found one: James Tedesco.six-again-call-that-was-quickly-not
So, what is the difference between Edwards and Tedesco? And why does Maguire believe now is the right time to make the most significant selection call in NSW’s recent history?“They actually play a very similar style,” league legend Andrew Johns says. “They’re both high-energy support players, and they want to get around the ruck and support in the middle of the field.
The reason might be a combination of two things: Penrith’s relentless defence hurries kickers into errors, allowing Edwards more time to return the ball, and hence chew up more metres; but it’s also a nod to his exemplary positional play and fitness, fielding kicks on the full and running the ball back with gusto.
“He’ll be one of our best players because he’ll be continually involved, and he won’t do anything different to what he does at Penrith.” Maroons coach Billy Slater is blessed with blistering speed due to Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Xavier Coates and Valentine Holmes, as well as a smaller and more mobile forward pack featuring Reuben Cotter and J’maine Hopgood.If NSW want to bash down the front door with a power game, a favourite tactic of Maguire’s vintage Rabbitohs side that won the 2014 premiership, then Edwards is the man for the job.
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