Calls mount for shock Dylan Edwards axing after costly blunders in Panthers loss
Tedesco has played 13 Tests for Australia and captained his country, but Edwards took his spot last year when he stamped himself as the game's best fullback. Since losing his NSW and Kangaroos spot to Edwards, Tedesco has been in superb form for the Roosters.
That continued last week against the Dolphins when he led the Roosters to a 64-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Edwards has also been brilliant in recent weeks after a slower-than-usual start to the season, but had a number of costly blunders on Thursday night.
The Panthers fullback had two try-assists and ran for a whopping 288 metres, carrying the ball a staggering 32 times against the Storm. He made nine tackle-breaks and two line-breaks and was nearly the best player on the field until the last few minutes.
Unfortunately for Edwards he made two late handling errors that gifted the Storm prime field position, and Melbourne made him pay. One error led to a Storm try, and the other gave them the field position for Harry Grant to score the game-winning try in golden point.
Edwards also rushed off his line thinking Grant would pass to Cameron Munster for a shot at field goal, leaving acres of space that Grant ran into for an easy try. Edwards wasn't really to blame because markers Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen were more at fault, but the fullback should have been at home when Grant ran under the posts to score. Edwards was seen throwing his head back when Grant fooled everyone with a clever dummy.
The defence parts like the Red Sea and the Storm win it in Golden Point.📺 Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/z3CYcPgkze⁰✍️ BLOG https://t.co/7dTV7OXqDf⁰🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/gNwOD9UoEf pic.twitter.com/lr5aS57i3U
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025
Kevin Walters says James Tedesco in the mix
Although Edwards was brilliant for the majority of the game, the late errors renewed calls for Tedesco to reclaim the Kangaroos spot. And speaking this week, new Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters admitted he hasn't made a decision yet.
'James Tedesco has put himself back in the frame with the season he's had," Walters told the . 'You can never have too much experience in your side and he brings plenty of that both on the field and off it.
'I will sit down with selectors post the grand final, and everyone knows the value he adds to that Roosters side. I feel like he's had one of his better years in the last three or four. I love watching him play and the way he rallies his troops, and the leadership that he shows his younger teammates, he's outstanding. He's well in the picture, I can guarantee that.'
Edwards made himself a must-pick for the Kangaroos when he starred in the Blues' State of Origin victory last year. But NSW lost this year's series, and the Panthers haven't had the same sort of season they had in the previous four premiership-winning years.
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NRL fans debate Kangaroos fullback spot
Walters said the State of Origin series wouldn't come into consideration when picking his Kangaroos fullback, but there's plenty of chatter that Edwards' spot might be in danger. Daily Telegraph columnist 'The Oracle' wrote on social media: "Surely Kevin Walters recalls James Tedesco? I have a lot of admiration for Dylan Edwards, but this year, their form are poles apart."
Another person wrote: "Last year Edwards was in better form, Tedesco in better form than Edwards this year". While another stated: "An argument could be made that Tedesco has had a better season on average than Edwards, but to go back now after that change was made last year is in my opinion counter-productive to the development of the team moving forward. There's not much between them, though."
A smokey for the role could be Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, although the Dolphins fullback is reportedly keen to represent Samoa rather than Australia. Other options would be Reece Walsh, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell if Walters wants a change.
Tedesco is in career formReally depends on the halvesIf Cleary gotta be Edwards anyone else and Teddy is a better option
— Chris Sutherland (@Mirishikiari_26) August 14, 2025
Tedesco has to be the fullback
— Femme (@Zkuy8888) August 14, 2025
Teddy is way in front it's not even a contest. Just look at tonight's game, 3 major blunders by Edwards cost Penrith the game.
— IMARoostàr🐓 (@IMAROOSTAR) August 14, 2025
He never should have been dropped in the first place.
— KidCowboy🤠 (@Kidcowboy2) August 14, 2025
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