In the middle of the toughest pre-season of his career, Connor Watson is getting his head around a potential semi-permanent move into the forward pack this season.
One of the NRL's premier utility players, Watson has featured in just about every position in the backline during his 74-game career. This time last season, he was training exclusively at fullback to accommodate Kalyn Ponga's ill-fated five-eighth experiment.
But he finished 2019 more accustomed to playing hooker and now also finds himself at pre=-season training being used in a middle forward role not too dissimilar to the way Victor Radley and Cameron Murray are used at the Sydney Roosters and Souths.
While he may still bob up in the backline at times to cover injuries, coach Adam O'Brien has already showed his hand with where he believes Watson's greatest value to the team will be by not using him at training as a five-eighth.
"I haven't used Connor in that six position at all just yet," O'Brien said.
"I know he can play there but I have predominantly been using him in that utility-type role playing him through the middle a bit."
With new hooker Jayden Brailey being set for an 80 minute role at hooker, Watson's brief will likely be to come off the bench at lock and terrorise tiring rival forwards with his explosive pace and deceptive strength.
All of which Watson is fine with after coming to terms with not being quite able to nail down a regular position in the starting lineup due to his utility value.
I guess I'm just a footballer so it's hard to put a position on me.
Connor Watson
Watson admits he has changed his tune about the value of his versatility.
"It's a blessing,"he said. "I used to think it was a curse but you know, it's good.
"I can help the team in all sorts of positions so I think for me, I have to look at it from the perspective that I'm getting to do what I love and not so much getting caught up with playing one position.
"I guess I'm just a footballer so it's hard to put a position on me."
Asked whether he believes he is being looked at as primarily a hooker and lock, Watson said: "Yeah, I think so in those two roles. I'm not sure where and when I'll be playing there, we'll have to see what happens. At the moment, it's just about developing my game in those areas."
Regarded as one the club's best trainers, Watson admits the side's two week rest over Christmas came at a good time.
"It was good to get a break over Chrissie after probably the toughest pre-season I've ever done,"he said.
"It's been the intensity of it. We are getting through sessions quicker then I've ever done before."
