Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards’ try-saving cover tackle evoked memories of ex-Penrith star Scott Sattler’s iconic 2003 moment – and didn’t the former premiership hero love it.
The tireless and often unheralded Edwards won the Clive Churchill Medal for his exemplary performance in Penrith’s grand final win over Parramatta on Sunday night, piling on the kick return metres and setting up a try.
But his best moment came in the 57th minute with a huge cover tackle against Eels winger Bailey Simonsson that was so (legally) savage, it dislocated the Parra star’s shoulder.
It was almost a ‘carbon copy’ of one of the most iconic grand final moments of all-time: Penrith second-rower Scott Sattler running down Roosters flyer Todd Byrne and saving a certain try – a man he shouldn’t have been able to get anywhere near.
Two of the great grand final tackles: Dylan Edwards (L) and Scott Sattler (R)
In a quirky twist of fate, Sattler’s tackle was adjudicated by NRL touch judge Glynn Henderson, while Edwards’ was flagged by Henderson’s son, Phil.
The 2003 premiership hero was commentating Sunday’s grand final on radio for SEN, and video has emerged of the moment the team called the moment, which was right in front of their box.
‘Here’s Edwards v Simonsson, ohhhh Scotty Sattler! It’s a Sattler tackle from Edwards, right in front of our man’ cries caller Joel Caine as the team playfully celebrate with Sattler, who can be heard saying: ‘Wow, what a tackle.’
Sattler’s 2003 premiership teammate Luke Lewis, who was commentating with a rival station in the next booth, could also be seen banging on the window to share in the joy.
Scott Sattler (right) and Rhys Wesser (left) celebrate winning the 2003 Minor Premiership with the Panthers, before they would go on to beat the Roosters in the grand final
Sattler spoke to colleague Matt White on Monday morning in the wash-up of the grand final, and joked that fans believe his iconic tackle will now fade away into history.
‘I was just leaving the precinct and the first guy I bumped into said ‘You’re forgotten about now aren’t you!’,’ Sattler laughed on comparisons between his tackle and Edwards’.
The nuggety second rower, who played 203 NRL matches, 118 of which came for Penrith, was full of praise for Edwards.
The 26-year-old, who rose right through the junior ranks at Penrith, is often forgotten in an era where fullbacks like James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic grab headlines with their stunning skills.
Dylan Edwards addresses Penrith fans at the club’s grand final celebrations on Monday
Edwards won the 2022 Clive Churchill Medal after an incredible display at fullback for the Panthers
Sattler said Edwards’ cover tackle highlighted exactly what he offered the side despite not drawing as many plaudits as other fullbacks in the league.
‘He (Edwards) came up with a moment … that people are going to talk about for many, many years,’ he said of the tackle that will now go down in grand final folklore.
‘That play last night from Dylan Edwards typified and reflects what his career has been; he’s had to fight harder than a lot of people in his position.
‘It’s great credit to a young man who many thought probably three or four years ago that Penrith couldn’t win the comp with a fullback that was just reliable,’ said Sattler.
Scott Sattler celebrates with fans after winning the 2003 grand final for Penrith
As Sattler pointed out, Edwards was unlucky not to win the Clive Churchill Medal last year when impressive in Penrith 2021 grand final victory.
He was even more impressive on Sunday night as he attacked and defended relentlessly right until the final whistle.
But it was his cover tackle that his teammates enjoyed most, with the Panthers playing celebrating his try-saver far more vociferously than any try they scored.
Panthers players celebrate with Dylan Edwards (number 1) after he produced a try-saving tackle on Eel Bailey Simonsson
The usually unflappable Ivan Cleary was just as excited – and could be seen banging on the glass box in celebration.
‘He’s (Edwards) always been good at organising our defence but his tackling and try-saving this year has gone to a new level for us,’ Cleary said after the game.
‘I think last year was the real making of him.
‘To put his hand up and say I’m playing, when we didn’t think he would, if he can get through that he can get through anything.
‘He totally deserves it. He’s been doing it all year,’ said Cleary.
Panthers teammates get around Dylan Edwards (centre) as he is called to address the fans at Monday’s supporter day at Penrith Stadium
It caps off a brilliant year for the previously injury-prone Edwards, who has delivered on the faith Penrith showed in their star junior.
He produced 25 almost flawless games, and won the Merv Cartwright Medal as the club’s Player of the Year: an incredible achievement given the huge stars right across the park.
Unfortunately for Edwards, it wasn’t quite enough to secure a spot in Australia’s hotly-contested squad for the Rugby League World Cup in England that begins on October 15.
He has been named for one of the standby players, so if injury or illness should strike, Edwards will have a chance to add to very burgeoning medal collection.