Feeling refreshed after a few weeks off recovering from a niggling groin injury, superstar Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is looking forward to hitting the field this weekend and having some fun with his teammates.
Despite their slow start to the 2025 season, senior players at Penrith, like Edwards, know that the simplest way to getting back on track is to strip it all back and discover that love for the game again.
“We need to take the lessons that we’ve learned over the last few weeks and just go out there and have fun! Enjoy playing together, getting around each other,” Edwards told the Weekender on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old’s words are exactly what you’d expect to hear from someone who’s seen it all in the game. From the highs of the last five years to the lows of devastating injuries and being dropped due to poor form, Edwards has well and truly ridden the rugby league rollercoaster.
But it’s how he picks himself up from adversity that’s really impressive.
Not one to go into too much detail about his private life, Edwards was refreshingly open and honest when asked how he separates his struggles at work with his life at home.
“I’m a bit older now and I’m reasonably good at separating what goes on at training and trying not to take it home with me,” he said.
“I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by a beautiful wife and beautiful kids, so that definitely helps take your mind away from rugby league.”
Edwards’ wife Nadine – who he married in Byron Bay late last year – has been with the representative fullback through all the glory and the misery that footy can bring.
The 2022 Clive Churchill Medallist said he’s lucky to have her by his side.
“She’s always open for a chat,” Edwards said.
“She always encourages me to talk to her about things because I’m pretty reserved and I don’t mind keeping it to myself.”
But it’s his two daughters that also help put things in perspective for the man known as “King Dyl”.
When he’s not winning premierships for the Panthers or scoring tries for the Blues, you’ll often find him being a typical Penrith Dad – taking his kids to sport on weekends.
“I haven’t played golf for a while, so it’s just Dad life for me now,” he admitted.
“Wintertime is soccer and summertime is athletics. I try and help out with their sports when I can, but ultimately, I’m there to support them and cheer them on.
“They’re both at school now, so I’ve got to find something to do during the day, but there’s always more than just footy in my life.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said it’s important his players switch off from rugby league especially during the tough times.
“Every player has their own way of processing things,” he told Extra Time.
“Certainly when you’re in this sort of position, it probably hangs a bit heavier than usual but we do a lot of work on their mental skills and it is important they enjoy their life outside of footy whether it’s good or bad, really. Hopefully they’ve all been doing that.”
While Edwards certainly likes to switch off, sometimes he can’t help but get caught up in the fandom of rugby league and you’ll often find him watching games at home in his spare time.
“I enjoy watching the footy! I enjoy the game and watching other teams going around,” he revealed.
“Throughout the years, you see boys leave and go to other teams and I enjoy following them as well.
“I probably watch and try and pick up little things. I’m not just mindlessly watching.”
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.