Describing Nick Meaney as a "complete football player", Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has no doubt the utility will succeed in his latest positional switch to the Storm centres.
Having worn the Storm No.1 jersey consistently since round 17 in 2022, Meaney has made way at fullback for the return from injury of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Named in the centres to face premiers Penrith at AAMI Park on Friday night, it's only Meaney's second NRL start in the role - his previous appearance coming back in 2021.
Meaney told AAP he was always aware of Papenhuyzen's claims on the No.1 jersey.
"I knew when I first signed here that Paps was here and he was always going to be the first-choice fullback," Meaney said.
"I was happy with my year last year but Paps is an icon, who has done so many big things for this club.
"He's such a great player so I know that he's going to do a job for us at fullback."
Meaney has spent pre-season training in the centres, filling the hole left by Justin Olam, who is now playing with Wests Tigers, and said he'd tried to put on some extra weight to deal with the front-line contact.
He is excited to be playing alongside halfback Jahrome Hughes and winger Will Warbrick on the right edge, adding another aerial threat to the Storm's attack.
"They've been helping me a lot and I'm definitely feeling good. The coaches have helped me a lot as well," said the 26-year-old, who is negotiating to extend his time in Melbourne.
Bellamy has always been a big fan, with Olam's exit opening up a way to keep Meaney and Papenhuyzen in the starting side.
"He's been great for us the two years he's been here - last year he was our best back and probably our most consistent player," Bellamy said.
"We wanted to keep him on the side there somewhere.
"Last year he played the whole year at fullback and before that in the halves mainly, and he came to us as a winger, so I've got no doubt he'll handle the centres.
"He's been training there all pre-season and we know what a complete footy player Nick is.
"We're confident he will do a good job there."
