Kurt Mann will have no qualms filling Gareth Widdop's five-eighth role at St George Illawarra after stating his desire to one day claim a No.6 jersey of his own.
Mann will start in the halves for the first time this season on Saturday night against the Wests Tigers, after having previously filled in there for Widdop last year while the England international was again sidelined by injury.
Largely a bench utility for the Dragons since his move from the Melbourne centres at the start of last year, Mann will likely fill the role for the rest of the regular season before Widdop hopes for a return come finals.
But the 25-year Mann is eager to take on the challenge with the Dragons desperate to turn around their form as he envisages his own career in the halves after previously being the victim of his own versatility and playing almost every role across the field off the bench.
"Probably some of the best games I've played in the NRL have been when I've played five-eighth," he told AAP.
"I don't want to keep playing on the bench forever. I'd rather just try and get one position and work at it. Hopefully I can do it here but if not, then at another club.
"(My versatility) gets me picked each week so I'm always in the 17 because of it, but then again I don't get the chance to nail anything down and focus on one thing and improve on that.
"I'd prefer it to be at five-eighth, that's my preferred position."
Mann's biggest challenge will come in the form of building a quick combination with halves partner Ben Hunt.
The Dragons' stability has meant they have played with a largely unchanged team all year, and the duo hadn't worked together since the pre-season before this week.
But Mann believed that the experience of having filled in for Widdop last year in a Dragons' structure that remains largely unchanged will prepare him well for the clash at Leichhardt Oval.
"I probably play a bit different to Gaz and Benny probably plays a bit different to Josh (McCrone) who I played with last year when Gaz was out," Mann said.
"But our shape is simple. I've done it before and it hasn't changed much since last year so I'm pretty confident I will be able to do it."
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