An 11-game posting on the wing could be the preparation Parramatta No.1 Bevan French needed to be the Eels' next star fullback.
French has come of age since moving to fullback late last year, and has now scored seven tries in four games with the No.1 jersey on his back.
He was again one of their best players in Sunday night's 34-16 win over St George Illawarra, bamboozling the Dragons' defence with his quick feet and hands to score on try and providing a slick pass to Semi Radradra to set up another.
In turn, he also rewarded Brad Arthur's faith to entrust him with the fullback jersey over the off-season, despite the Eels having plenty of space in their salary cap to target experienced stars.
"He's a talent," Arthur said. "He's a good level-headed kid and he wants to get better. He'll give us every opportunity."
French made his first-grade debut last May, after impressing in their successful Auckland Nines campaign, but was forced to spend the first three months of his career on the wing.
While the Eels played for virtually nothing as a result of the salary cap scandal, French - then 20 - was learning his skills off the back of veteran fullback Michael Gordon.
"He was a great mentor to learn off and I'm pretty happy he was there," French said.
"I got to learn off the best. He's been around quite a while and taught me plenty of things."
French admitted he desperately coveted the No.1 jersey but, despite his youth, he was mature enough to see the advantages it would have for his game.
"It was a big confidence boost," French said.
"Even though it was on the wing it took its toll on me. I wasn't used to the physical side of things so I didn't want to get thrown in the deep end straight away.
"I worked my way through there and as the season came along I got used to the contact and the stuff like that."
However after four games at the back, and 21 tries in 15 NRL games, he has already caught the eye of some of the game's senior figures.
He had the chance to train under NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley in Indigenous All Stars camp earlier this year, and he left a lasting impression.
"You can just tell at training he had all the ability in the world," Daley told Fox Sports' NRL360 on Monday.
"He's very quick, very elusive.
"When you have players like that in your side ... They do things that others can't do."
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