Kevin Walters has hinted Reece Walsh will get first crack in the No.1 on his Brisbane return next year, although the coach is hopeful Te Maire Martin will remain at the NRL club as a fight for the jersey looms.
The Broncos will celebrate 30 years since their first premiership at Sunday's Suncorp Stadium clash with St George Illawarra, and Walters is urging the current crop to "forge their own way".
Walsh will be part of that future after signing a three-year deal to return to the club that released him to the Warriors last season as an untested teenager.
He's exploded since then and will add to the Broncos' premiership credentials that have begun to build under Walters, the side 9-6 and likely to play finals after two years at or near the bottom of the ladder.
But Walsh's return creates headaches for Walters given Te Maire Martin has excelled in his own NRL comeback in that position this year and re-signed stars Selwyn Cobbo and Herbie Farnworth are both keen to play at the back.
Walters tried to avoid the topic but hinted Walsh would be the man to wear the No.1 at Red Hill when he returns next year.
"That's next year to worry about, but at the moment he's a specialist fullback and playing some good footy," Walters said.
"It's nice to have those riches and I'm assuming, should never assume, but Herbie will go overseas for the World Cup (with England), so he'll be restricted in the pre-season and we'll get limited time to develop him (as a fullback).
"Selwyn may be on that trip as well and he's a long term player for us too and Reece can play a number of positions.
"The important thing is to get really good, strong players into the club.
Martin (ribs) is one of seven missing for Sunday's clash due to State of Origin or injury.
Walters hopes he can retain the former North Queensland half despite the prospect of a player swap with Walsh to the Warriors.
Somewhat forgotten in the conversation given he began the season at fullback, Tesi Niu will return to the role while Delouise Hoeter will come onto the wing after Corey Oates' Origin promotion.
Prop Xavier Willison, 19, is back from last year's ACL rupture for his third game. Zac Hosking will make his NRL debut in the second row alongside and Cory Paix (knee) and Tyson Gamble (leg) returns from injury on the bench.
Payne Haas and Corey Jensen are injured too while the Broncos are without Kurt Capewell, Selwyn Cobbo, Pat Carrigan and Thomas Flegler on Maroons Origin duty with Dragons captain Ben Hunt.
Jayden Sullivan takes over at halfback in the only change to the Dragons' side that beat Canberra for a fourth win in five games to sneak into the top eight.
