Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has hinted at giving Jack Bird a shot at fullback despite current No.1 Ben Barba nearing Dally M medal-winning form.
After edging out Bird and winger Valentine Holmes in a three-way fight for the fullback spot over the summer, Barba has gone on to recapture some of the form from his breakthrough season in 2012.
The 26-year-old is unlucky to only be on three points in the Dally M leaderboard, despite being one of the Sharks' best performers over the past two weeks.
His upswing in form has even caught the eye of Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters, who has already mentioned Barba as one of the candidates to fill the shoes of injured No.1 Billy Slater.
Through the first five games, the former Canterbury star leads the team in tackle breaks (19) and is an equal leader in tries (three) and offloads (eight).
But that hasn't deterred Flanagan from considering Bird at fullback, possibly even this season.
"Birdy and Val are learning the trade, and they'll get their opportunity down the track, if Benny's out injured or on rep duties," Flanagan said on Friday.
"But they're both learning their trade - they'll swap there every now and again during games. And Birdy's a real potential to play there as well at some stage during the year.
"But at this stage, Benny's doing a great job for us so we can't swap him."
Bird, who played mostly five-eighth last year, shone in two games as fullback during the trials.
Share
