Blake Ferguson will shift back to his customary centre position for next NRL season, despite his increasingly impressive performances for Sydney Roosters at fullback, says coach Trent Robinson.
Ferguson was mooted as the Roosters long-term custodian after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's defection to the Warriors at the end of last season.
But the NSW utility struggling in the No.1 jersey in the opening round thrashing to South Sydney and rookie Latrell Mitchell was preferred in the role for much of the season.
However Ferguson has excelled at the back since being re-installed there in the final third of the season by Robinson.
He starred again for the Roosters in their record-equalling 42-6 win over St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Ferguson scored two tries, made two linebreaks, three offloads and ran for a game-high 195m from a game-high 17 runs.
The Kangaroos winger told AAP last week he was open to staying at the back. But Robinson said he will be returning to centre in 2017.
That will likely leave Mitchell and new signing from Parramatta Michael Gordon to fight it out for the fullback spot next season.
"We think Blake is a centre," Robinson said.
"But it is good to have that versatility in the squad.
"He is getting some experience back there and he is enjoying it.
"He has been good for us there and it is a benefit to have that."
