Josh Dugan's return to fullback in place of the injured Matt Moylan will move him back to his best NRL position, Cronulla coach John Morris believes.
Dugan will play fullback for the Sharks for the first time since last May against Parramatta on Saturday, with Matt Moylan suffering a hamstring injury.
A regular No.1 at both Canberra and St George Illawarra, Dugan lost out in a three-way battle with Moylan and Valentine Holmes at the end of last year for the custodian role.
However the position is likely to be his for at least the next month, with the Sharks still unsure of Moylan's return date.
"We'll cross our fingers and see if we can get him back in the near future," Morris sad.
"But there's a really good replacement in Josh Dugan who I though started the season really strong for us.
"I think fullback over the years has probably been his best position.
"He loves going there and it allows us to bring Bronson (Xerri) in. It's sad to lose Moyza, I think he's started the season well with Shaun (Johnson) and Chad (Townsend)."
Morris was also confident Dugan had come back a different person in 2019 after speaking out on his own personal battles in 2018.
The decision to debut Xerri comes after significant pre-season praise from former coach Shane Flanagan and an impressive showing in a trial win over Manly.
He has already been studied closely by the Eels, who are braced for the 18-year-old's speed and ability to skip back through the middle of the field.
"The emotion he showed for this club, he's come through every level," Morris said.
"He was only playings Harold Matts (under-16s) three or four years ago, he's come through our elite academy, SG Ball (under-18s) and Jersey Flegg (under-20s).
"It's a great story for kids who can work hard and realise their dream - I was really proud to hand him that debut jersey."
