North Queensland young gun Jaxon Purdue says he still has the desire to play in the halves, while biding his time developing at centre.
Purdue spent the pre-season in a two-way battle with Jake Clifford for the No.6 jersey, before Todd Payten ultimately opted to have Clifford partner halfback Tom Dearden.
That has left Purdue at centre for Saturday's (Sunday AEDT) clash against Newcastle in Las Vegas, where the 20-year-old still remains a threat for the Cowboys on the left edge.
"If I stayed at centre long term I wouldn't be mad, but obviously I would like to play halves in the future," Purdue told AAP.
"But I am still learning what the NRL is like.
"Playing centre I get to see what Jake Clifford and Tommy Dearden get to do. So I don't really mind.
"While I'm playing NRL I am still getting used to it.
"I got reps at half in the pre-season, so it is just getting more reps in actual game play and getting more comfortable on the ball and more comfortable on the field."
Purdue played eight games in the halves last year, but he was far more dangerous at centre scoring 13 tries in 16 games.
At the same time, the Cowboys' attack also looked more potent with him on the edge and Clifford partnering Dearden in the halves.
A teenage star, Purdue played halfback as a junior for Mackay before being slotted in at centre for North Queensland.
He spent half of this summer training in the halves and was also given the chance to play there during the trials.
"It does give me a bit more freedom (at centre)," he said.
"I feel like I can run the ball more and that is one of my biggest strengths.
"I'll just keep running the ball and play with a bit of freedom. That's where my best footy comes from.
"I was happy to play anywhere and I am excited to run out in the No.3 jersey on Saturday."
