The debate about DWZ vs Meaney is an interesting one when you talk about capping their skills. Because it's almost impossible to know what either player is capable of learning.
As far as Meaney goes, he doesn't seem to have the natural large athletic build that DWZ has. So stepping into the NRL saw him easily contained by the forwards. But he's certainly not lacking in courage. He reminds me of a young Billy Slater with his lack of self preservation in attacking the high ball. His support play could use improvement. But if he adds some size to his frame and a bit of confidence, what he tries in attack might be more affective. I liked seeing him gain attacking confidence on the wing late in the season and I hope he keeps building that confidence and adds some size. He's definitely got ability, but might have benefited from a little more time developing in the lower grades.
DWZ seems to excel in two areas. His support play is very good. He runs the ball hard and has the size to make that useful. Aside from that he is more than solid in pretty much all the basic skills a fullback requires. I consider playmaking ability to be a bonus in a fullback, and he's not a player that seems to look at setting up support players instinctively. But since we're comparing him and Meaney, I didn't notice that as an instinctive trait Meaney posessed either.
So it's difficult to say that in a couple of years that either player will be the more complete package. For now I think DWZ is our first choice at fullback due to his physical advantages. But hopefully Meaney fills out a bit more and keeps growing in confidence. I certainly don't think we should rule him out as a potentially great fullback. Not every player makes their debut when they're physically ready and Meaney probably could have used a bit more time filling out before being promoted.
Good summary. Unsure why so many were so harsh on Meaney. He's young, he was learning and he was pretty reliable under the high ball and in defence at fullback. Yeah sure, he didn't attack and organise that much, but again - young and learning - a confidence thing.
Initially he didn't set the world on fire on the wing either, but we saw at the back of the season his confidence growing and he scored 6 tries in the last few games - some against teams that made the 8.
When I spoke to him a the Member forum he was super keen for a big 2020 on the wing - said he'd been working with Reimis and was pumped. I hope he goes really well, puts on some extra strength and let his pace shine (he has it).
DWZ brought some attacking and organising flare that we'd been missing out back for a while - even with Hoppa (reliable, but not setting the world on fire wearing #1). With a full pre-seaon under his belt in the Dogs system hopefully he carries and even improves what we saw of him in 2019.
So I'd agree it's DWZ fullback and Meaney wing for now. Meaney will make a handy backup at #1 if needed.
Let's see where 2020 takes them both before determining much beyond that...