Daniel Atkinson has hit out at the "narrative" that has surrounded his first season at St George Illawarra, insisting he never signed for the Dragons with the ambition of being the team's halfback.
Landing from Cronulla over the off-season, Atkinson began the year in the No.7 jersey before being moved to five-eighth.
The Queenslander is yet to taste victory through the bottom-placed Saints' (0-10) winless start to the season.
The focus on Atkinson's suitability to play as a game-managing half has only amplified in recent weeks with the emergence of local junior Kade Reed and the Dragons signing Luke Metcalf for 2027.
Warriors playmaker Metcalf, 27, will join the Red V on a three-year deal next season but will not feature against his future employers on Saturday when the Dragons host the high-flying Kiwi outfit at Jubilee Oval.
