Ryley Jacks says he won't be handing the Melbourne five-eighth jersey to Cameron Munster without a fight after making his NRL debut in their opening round win over Canterbury.
The Storm pulled a surprise move, starting Jacks at No.6 and moving Munster back to fullback to cover for the injured Billy Slater.
With Slater soon to make his long-awaited return following last year's second round of shoulder surgery, Jacks says he'll be doing all he can to keep the role.
"I'm treating it like it's my spot now," Jacks said.
"Obviously Bill is coming back whenever he's right and Cam could go back to the five-eighth role and I could miss out so I've got to make the most of how many games I get and keep performing," Jacks said.
A 24-year-old qualified carpenter, Jacks joined the Storm this season in his second crack at the NRL.
He spent a year in under-20s and then in reserve grade with the Sydney Roosters from 2011 to 2013 before being cut.
But he caught the eye of Melbourne recruiters with a stellar season with the Storm's feeder club on the Sunshine Coast.
Jacks said his parents flew down from Brisbane to watch his debut, but otherwise kept the positional switch under wraps.
While it was tough going at rain-soaked Belmore Oval, Jacks said it was a thrill playing alongside Cooper Cronk.
A report on the weekend said the Test halfback was considering cutting short his Melbourne contract and retiring to move to Sydney at the end of this season.
"You couldn't ask for a better halves partner to make your debut," Jacks said.
"He's so composed out there and made my job real easy.
"I don't know what Cooper's going to do but he's fit as anything and I can't see him giving it up soon."
Jacks said his body was extra sore after the intensity of NRL football but he'd take it over a day working on a building site.
"Normally you go into a game sore after working all week so it's a good feeling.
"It's awesome being a full-time player."
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