FORMER Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies junior Dylan Edwards has played a pivotal role in helping his Penrith Panthers side win their third straight NRL premiership.

The Panthers fullback played a crucial part in his side’s thrilling come from behind victory against the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL Grand Final.

Edwards ran for an outstanding 271 metres, which was the most of any player in the premiership decider.

It was another top performance on the biggest stage, having been awarded the Clive Churchill Medal in last year’s grand final.

The premiership win caps off another stellar season for the Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies product.

He finished eighth in the Dally M Medal count, leading the NRL in running metres, kick return metres, and total runs, and second in tackle breaks.

Edwards was born in Albury but moved to Dorrigo with his family at the age of eight.

Having played his junior football for the Bellingen Valley/Dorrigo Magpies, he moved to Western Sydney in 2013 to play for the Panthers’ SG Ball team, where he progressed through the junior grades to take his spot in the Panthers NRL side.

Edwards has been an integral part of a Panthers team that became the first side since the Parramatta Eels powerhouse of the 1980s to win three consecutive premierships.

The Panthers will now look to become the first team to win four straight premierships since the St George Dragons dynasty of the 1950s and 60s.

By Aiden BURGESS