Matt Burton is determined to remain as Canterbury's five-eighth, shutting down any suggestion he would be better served moving back to the centres.
A premiership-winner who scored a try at centre in Penrith's 2021 grand final success, Burton is yet to guide the Bulldogs to the finals in his first two years at Belmore.
That has prompted suggestions he should return to the outside backs, with other options available to wear the No.6 jersey in the Canterbury side.
But Burton is unmoved by the calls, speaking to coach Cameron Ciraldo on Tuesday about his desire to remain as chief playmaker.
"I'm just going to work hard and train my backside off as much as I can to get that spot (five-eighth)," Burton said.
"If (centres) is what is best for the team, then definitely, I'll do it.
"I want to be a leader of this side.
"I just like hands on the ball and directing the team around, that's the sort of player I want to be and lead the team around."
Canterbury made a host of signings earlier this month, including utilities Kurt Mann and Drew Hutchinson, who both have playing experience in five-eighth.
If Burton does remain at No.6, the 23-year-old believes incumbent halfback Toby Sexton is the right man beside him.
"He's (Sexton) showing really good signs ... and he's training the house down," Burton said,
"We played some really good footy there at the back end of the year, we've got a good combo there.
"There's sort of no locked-in spots at the moment.
"There's obviously a lot of competitive nature around the building at the moment as far as boys testing each other ... it's what we need."
This pre-season looms as crucial for the Bulldogs, who finished 15th last season and have not made the play-offs since 2016.
Star Penrith centre Stephen Crichton headlines a number of new faces at Belmore but Burton welcomed the competition for starting spots and hard work ahead to make the club a title force.
"Everything's hard, that's the way it should be," Burton said.
"You've got to turn up here and work hard, and that's the only way you get results."
"There's a lot of hard work in front of us but it's looking good."
