Ivan Cleary’s rare impassioned plea for NSW to stick solid with Dylan Edwards
Ivan Cleary has made a rare impassioned call for NSW to drop Dylan Edwards at full-back, saying: “You know, if we’re talking about leaving ‘Dyl’ Edwards out of the Origin squad, we should be doing well.”
One of the big selection debates for the Blues will be whether to keep Edwards at full-back or recall Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco.
Roosters publicly coach Trent Robinson praised Tedesco Friday night: “He plays with his own feelings a lot; he plays more in the moment than any other actor I’ve seen.”
speaking afterwards Panthers beat Canberra 30-18Cleary said there was nothing more Edwards could do to continue this important work.
Cleary rarely goes out of his way to insert himself into Origin discussions, but felt passionate enough to back Edwards given the growing support for the Roosters’ rival.
“I said a few weeks ago that ‘Teddy’ was playing incredible football, he always was, but the decision was made for Dyl to come. [to the NSW team] for [Tedesco]”He hasn’t done much wrong since then,” Cleary said.
“He was on the team that won the series in 2024 and had a great series.
“He came back from shoulder surgery last year and obviously I probably pushed him too early.
“He struggled a bit but you can’t say the Origin series was lost because of him. He still featured in the qualifying final, was a big part of our team and made the Australian team.”
“This year he prepared as he did years ago. He is performing excellently. He has been one of our top three players every week.”
“He’s on a game-winning team. He’s led a top-five defensive team in the last six years, the same this year.”
“He’s a great leader. It’s a good problem to have. Dylan is in incredible form. I’ve seen him play at his best; it’s pretty close to that.” 1778440994Definitely.”
Edwards was flattered by his coach’s comments and told this imprint as he left the GIO Stadium: “It’s good to be supported by your coach – good to say those words for ‘Ive’. I know what I bring to this team and what he thinks of me.”
“What has pleased me most this year is my consistency. I have added small pieces to my game in attack and I am fighting well in defence.
“‘Teddy’ will be remembered as a champion full-back and one of the best full-backs. If I’m talking to a guy like that, that’s great.
“But I want to represent the Blues, I want to represent the people of this state. It would be a huge honour. There’s another 80 minutes and then the decision will be made.”
Edwards agrees with Cleary that he was insufficient to start last year and blames himself — not Cleary — for rushing back so he could feature in the season opener in Las Vegas.
Tedesco, 33, last featured for NSW in game one of the 2024 series. Edwards returned for the second and third games to help the Blues earn a come-from-behind series victory and was No. 1 in last year’s series, which also included a stunning defeat on Sydney soil.
Daley will name a 20-man squad next Sunday night after Edwards and Penrith play in the final game of the Magic Round against the winless St George Illawarra Dragons. Tedesco’s Roosters play the Cowboys on Saturday night.
