He may not be wearing his favoured No.9 or even sure what NRL position he's playing but Brandon Smith has no regrets about his decision to stay with Melbourne.
Smith's bench spot at the Storm was extended by skipper Cameron Smith's decision to play on until the end of 2020, with rumblings the 22-year-old New Zealander was unhappy at the extended apprenticeship.
With four Test caps to his name, the Kiwis hooker would walk into a starting spot at any other NRL club.
But reassured by coach Craig Bellamy of more game time this season regardless of his captain's call, the younger Smith has been enjoying his role in the Storm's unbeaten start to the season.
"I'm having a lot more fun," he said before Melbourne's round-three clash with Penrith in Bathurst on Saturday.
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"I'm getting a bit more minutes and Craig's putting his trust in me to play my own game so I'm really enjoying my footy."
Cameron Smith has been spending some time at first receiver, leaving the younger Smith to provide some more muscle through the middle of the field.
Although Brandon wasn't exactly sure where.
"At the moment Craig's chucking me in, I think at lock -- I don't even know what a lock is really, think it's a third prop," Smith said.
"That's the role I play and if I get the chance to play hooker I do but for now I'm having fun doing whatever I'm doing."
Smith said Melbourne were determined to keep up their good form against the Panthers, who they have beaten in 17 of their past 19 games.
"It's a focus point for us to start the season well," he said.
"We've got a really great record in round one so it's good we've rolled on with it."
