Who is the best fullback in the NRL? Reece Walsh set to topple James Tedesco after stellar 2023 season

James Tedesco and Reece Walsh will renew their battle from State of Origin on Thursday night - but are they the only two players in the running to be crowned the NRL's best fullback?

The pair played against each other in the first two Origin games in this year's series, with the livewire Walsh missing the dead-rubber clash due to suspension.

The 21-year-old got the better of Tedesco in the representative arena, helping orchestrate a series win for Queensland, and has been among the best players in the competition all season.

But with the likes of Scott Drinkwater and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow both having strong seasons and a long list of experienced No.1s excelling across the league, this might be the greatest era of fullbacks ever. 

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Who is the best fullback in the NRL?

While you could feasibly suggest close to half the players in the position across the NRL, we've narrowed it down to the five best current fullbacks and will leave it up for debate. 

Reece Walsh

If it wasn't for suspension, Walsh would have been the odds-on favourite to win Dally M Fullback of the Year after a stellar first year at the Broncos.

His performances against quality opposition at both club and Origin level have cemented the speedster among the game's elite, with his mix of raw talent and unbridled toughness setting him up for a lengthy career. 

Brisbane head coach Kevin Walters said the Keebra Park High School product relishes in pressure and is adding plenty of class to their side as they look to break a 17-year premiership doubt. 

"Reece brings that energy to the team and we saw it last week," he said.

"He just needs to be good and make sure he gets our defensive roles right there as well. The attack side of it comes really natural for him, so he’s been good for us in that space.

"As an individual player – you like to match yourself against the best. It’s a great challenge for him tomorrow night [against the Roosters] to be at his best and we’re gonna need every bit of Walshy’s skills.

"It’s just the competitive nature of all sportspeople, wanting to play against the best and competing against the best and Walshy is no different."

Broncos and Maroons great Darren Lockyer was quizzed on Walsh's standing among the best fullbacks in the NRL and believes the upcoming finals series will be a good indication of where the whiz kid is at. 

"I’d say he’s the most dangerous," he told WWOS' QLDer.

“We know he’s talented and he’s been able to do it on the biggest stage in Origin and have an impact. 

"There’s quite a number of good fullbacks in this competition and we’ve had that for a long period of time across the game. The important games are starting to come up, where the cream floats to the top, so I think this is a big test."

James Tedesco

The standard bearer for the past five seasons, Tedesco has dropped off form-wise this year, with both the Roosters and NSW Blues struggling for results on the field.

The 30-year-old is still a fantastic leader and gives his all week-in week-out, while his statistics are still more than serviceable despite the Tricolours facing an unlikely early end to their campaign. 

Roosters coach Trent Robinson is looking forward to the individual battle between the two rep stars in Round 22. 

“I think that position especially is why a lot of people watch the game… they get excited," he said.

"There’s a freedom that comes with the fullback role and there’s no different in those two players.

"They get freedom to go and play on both sides of the ball and through the ruck, and they get freedom to chance their hand at different times as well."

Latrell Mitchell

Despite an interrupted season due to injury, it's hard to argue with Latrell's standing among the best fullbacks in the competition solely for the influence he has on South Sydney as a whole.

Prior to his lengthy absence with a calf issue, the Rabbitohs were at the top of the ladder and looked like the team to beat - but since then, they have won two from seven and sit outside the top-eight.

Latrell will return from injury in Round 22 and will be hoping to replicate his early-season form and make an instant impact for the Bunnies. 

Scott Drinkwater

After a slow start to the season and a three-game suspension, Drinkwater has returned to his very best and has produced more try assists than any other fullback in the NRL this year.

The 26-year-old has helped push the Cowboys back into the top-eight and was rewarded for his incredible 18-month stretch in club land with selection in the NSW Blues squad during the recent State of Origin series. 

Kalyn Ponga

Ponga started the season at five-eighth and was sidelined due to concussion, but has moved back to his preferred role and made an impact for the Knights in their late-season finals surge.

On his day, the 25-year-old is among the game's elite and sits atop the highest-paid players in the competition for a reason. 

NRL fullbacks 2023 stats comparison

Who will play fullback for Australia?

While there's no concrete plans for the next Kangaroos game, Walsh and Tedesco will likely be the front-runners to wear the No.1 jumper and there could be a genuine chance of a shake-up. 

Mal Meninga and his selection committee have a tough decision on their hands, with Tedesco leading the side to World Cup glory last year and Walsh bursting onto the scene with a brilliant debut Origin series.