Scott Drinkwater has been rewarded for a huge off-season with first crack at Billy Slater's vacant Melbourne Storm fullback jersey.
Drinkwater will start at No.1 in the Storm's first pre-season trial against the Warriors in Geelong on Friday night, beating off challenges from Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
The 21-year-old got a taste of NRL action late last year and decided he would go all-out to replace the retired superstar.
"I've had a few pre-seasons down here and the majority I've just been learning but this pre-season I've seen a big spot vacant and I made it a goal of mine to do as best I can to get the No.1 jersey for round one," Drinkwater said.
The former Australian schoolboys representative has spent most of his young career in the halves but switched to fullback last season in the Storm's feeder team in the Queensland Cup.
Drinkwater said he felt it was an ideal fit, and he was the Storm's best player as he filled in for Slater in that round 25 loss to Penrith, even scoring a try.
"I'm enjoying fullback - it's new and exciting and the best thing about it is that I can roam both sides of the field," said Drinkwater, whose older brother Josh is a halfback with Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers.
"I'm not stuck on one side like a normal half these days."
With Slater still involved in a part-time coaching role with Melbourne, Drinkwater said he felt lucky he could call on the fullback legend whenever he needed advice.
"He's always said that if I ever need any help he's a phone call away so it's good to have the best in the game right in the same city as you."
Despite their battle for the same jersey, Drinkwater said he and Hughes remained close mates.
"We're both fighting for that one spot but that doesn't change anything - we don't hate each other because of it.
"You've got to do your best in training or the games and it's up to Craig and the coaching staff to choose who they want."
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