Promising South Sydney youngster Adam Doueihi admits he’s unsure of where his best position lies in the NRL.
But he knows one thing: it’s not on the wing.
Doueihi showed why he is considered a star of the future with another assured display at fullback in the Rabbitohs’ semi-final win over Manly on Friday.
It came a week after coach Wayne Bennett conceded he erred in playing the 21-year-old on the wing in their qualifying final loss to the Sydney Roosters.
“I thought because I played centre a few times it wouldn’t be much of a difference,” Doueihi said of his display against the Roosters.
“I never played wing before but I worked hard last week during the week on my combo with Jimmy (James Roberts) inside me.
“I guess they exposed our edge pretty early and I personally struggled to get into it afterwards and confidence was low.
“I’m feeling very confident at fullback and I guess the more games I play there the more confident I feel.
“So I’m happy playing fullback. No more wing for me.”
The irony is that Doueihi had also rarely considered himself a fullback until being experimented with in the role midway through the year.
Much of the pre-season debate over who would wear the No.1 jumper had centred between incumbent Alex Johnston and champion captain Greg Inglis.
Young talent Corey Allan had also been signed from Brisbane.
However, an injury-plagued season for Johnston, the surprise retirement of Inglis, and Allan’s inconsistencies forced Bennett to try Doueihi in July.
In his 10 games there, Doueihi has averaged 131 metres and 3.3 tackle busts.
Asked how much fullback he had played prior to this year, Doueihi said: “Not much, maybe under-10s or something.
“I think I played there once last year. Not much experience at all.
“I’m not the fittest bloke, so I was (struggling) at the start but I’ve been working on my fitness lately.”
As for whether fullback is his long-term fit at Redfern, Doueihi is uncertain.
“With the make-up of the team at the moment I fit in there best at the moment,” he said.
“Where they see me I’m still not sure but I feel really confident there.”
Doueihi will have to undergo some concussion tests this week after being substituted late against the Sea Eagles following a head clash with Johnston.
“I’m all right, passed all the (head injury assessment) tests. I’m fine,” he said.
“I think I just stayed down a bit too long.
“Apparently if you stay down for more than 15 or 20 seconds you’re not allowed to go back on.”