Every year NRL coaches sling a few surprises our way in the shape of major positional shifts. In 2024, we’re set to see several high profile stars transition.
Whether it’s Latrell Mitchell moving from centre to fullback, Darren Lockyer from fullback to five-eighth, or Brad Fittler from centre to five-eighth – with a sprinkling of appearances at lock, some all-time greats have proved their value in two positions.
An old sporting adage goes something like this; the best ability is availability. In modern sports, when athletes are bigger and the demands of the calendar are heavier, teams value guys who can do jobs in multiple positions.
So with that in mind, shouldn’t the adage be updated to read something along the lines of; the best ability is versatility?
Defensive assignments fluctuate by position, as do offensive requirements. Adjustments are needed to ensure players are assured in their new roles. These things take time, as all good things do.
Some may turn our to be diamonds, others rocks. Here are the 10 NRL players shifting positions in 2024.
Which NRL stars are making major positional switches in 2024?
As we see every season, 2024 delivers us several stars – some high profile, others not so much – embarking on significant positional shifts, hoping of improving their output and their team’s prospects. Superficially, many of these positional switches appear simplistic. But nothing in the NRL is ever easy.
Let’s dive in.
Stephen Crichton
Club: Bulldogs
Positional shift: Centre to fullback
Like fellow Penrith premiership winning centre Matt Burton before him, Stephen Crichton joins the Bulldogs to trade the outside backs for the spine. For Burton, it was five-eighth. For Crichton, fullback.
Having played a handful of times at fullback, his performances in the role remain unclear. What’s absolute is high gangly frame, silky touch, languid movement, powerfull ball-carrying and strong defence can potentially knit together one of rugby league’s most frightening fullbacks.
In a sea of change at the Bulldogs heading into 2024, Crichton’s arrival is the most exciting. It will be interesting to see how quickly he warms to his new position.
Kaeo Weekes
Club: Canberra Raiders
Positional shift: Fullback to centre
One of two men firming to replace Canberra’a favourite son, Jack Wighton. Should Kaeo Weekes win the five-eighth role for Ricky’s Raiders, it will signal a major vote of confidence in the former Manly man.
Defensively, Kaeo Weekes questions may be asked, as they were in by Penrith in his sole outing as a five-eighth in 2023. One would hope Ricky’s preparing him for one of rugby league’s most difficult tests; defending on an edge.
Jack Wighton
Club: South Sydney
Positional shift: Five-eighth to centre
One of rugby league’s most intriguing stories heading into 2024 is Jack Wighton trading five-eighth, where he won a Dally M medal, for centre at Souths. If all goes well and he, Cody Walker, and Latrell Mitchell click nothing outside of a brick wall will stop the Rabbitohs’ left edge’s dangerous attacking raids.
But, Wighton’s not featured consistently at centre in club land for a decade. There’s no doubt he’s talented enough to blow the NRL away in that role; his powerful running will keep many defenders up into the depths of the night and his ball-playing will be the best among the competition’s outside backs.
Whether the side around him will maximise his talents is another question entirely.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Club: NZ Warriors
Positional shift: Fullback to centre
Such was the season Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had in 2023 that arguably the greatest fullback in Warriors history is happily returning after a stint in rugby union to play centre. That is the reality in Auckland and one that could elevate their ceiling further in 2024.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a blend of brute power and ballerina-like agility. One minute he’s there, the next he’s gone. Ankles across the competition are wincing at his return, even if it’s to play a position he’s never played in rugby league before.
Taylan May
Club: Penrith Panthers
Positional shift: Wing to centre
A by-product of Stephen Crichton trading the foot of the mountains for Belmore is promising outside back, Taylan May, filling his vacated. After missing 2023 with an ACL tear, the local junior is rearing to go in 2024, likely shift to centre to accommodate Crichton’s glaring absence.
If anything, May is one of rugby league’s most destructive outside backs with the ball in his hand capable of breaking tackles for fun. His return means Penrith boast arguably the most powerful back five in recent rugby league history; Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Izack Tago, May, and Sunia Turuva
AJ Brimson
Club: Gold Coast Titans
Positional shift: Fullback to centre
Kieran Foran put the marker down early about the AJ Brimsn centre experiment. “He’ll be an opposition centre’s nightmare,” the experience half explained. For good reason. Brimson has the qualities needed to succeed at centre; speed, skill, agility and the strength to bounce off and between defenders.
In his sole NRL outing at centre against the Bulldogs in round 27 2023, he scored once and assisted another, ran for 136 metres, broke tackles five times and the line twice. On the flip side, he made just 62.5% of his tackles, compared to Brian Kelly, who made 72%. A strong foundation with room for improvement.
Selwyn Cobbo
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Positional shift: Wing to centre
Undoubtedly a talented outside back, Kevin Walters confirmed his star winger Selwyn Cobbo would shift slightly infield to replace the outgoing Herbie Farnworth. Inevitably Cobbo was shifting to centre at some point in the next few years. Farnworth’s departure likely fast-tracked that transition.
There’s likely to be teething pains, just two players made more errors than Cobbo last season, and one can only imagine how he’ll handle the vigorous defensive challenges Farnworth expertly dealt with. Little can be argued about the attacking threat Cobbo has, particularly in open field.
This move is evidently inspired by long-term planning as opposed to short-term gain. That’s not to say Brisbane’s fortunes will shift massively with Cobbo’s position change either.
Reuben Garrick
Club: Manly Sea Eagles
Positional shift: Wing to centre
For many years, Reuben Garrick has flirted with switching to centre. Could 2024 be the year that comes to fruition? Three of his four first-grade outings at centre came in 2023 and Manly has enough wing depth in Jaxson Paulo, Jason Saab, and Christian Tuipulotu to facilitate the switch.
Much like others trading the wing for centre, Garrick’s ball carrying is impressive, his power understated, and his top speed is amongst the quickest in the NRL. Defensive questions will hang over his head, especially given how admirably Brad Parker’s performed recently. But, Manly are likely a stronger side with him and Tolu Koula at centre.
Trent Loiero
Club: Melbourne Storm
Positional shift: Second row to lock
Shawn Blore came, Justin Olam left and a race for Melbourne’s left back row spot opened. Last year that role was held by Trent Loiero who, amongst other characteristics, is a reliable defensive force. However, word on the street is Loiero is likely to spend 2024 at lock.
While it remains an unfamiliar position to him, Loiero is cut in the mould of Melbourne’s great locks. Tough tackling, hard-nosed, and strong carrying the ball. Perhaps Craig Bellamy sees a middle trio of Loeiro, Christian Welch, and Josh King as strong enough to take the early sting out of the match before releasing his game-breaking big men, Tui Kamikamica and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to blow opponents away.
