Wayne Bennett has confirmed Latrell Mitchell will return to fullback this season but says it's possible the South Sydney superstar could finish his career in the halves.
Mitchell will suit up in the Rabbitohs' No.6 jersey for the first time on Saturday, filling in for Cody Walker in an injury-depleted Souths side to face North Queensland in Perth.
His move has allowed the in-form Jye Gray to remain at fullback, after Mitchell also filled in at centre on return from injury last week.
A back-up utility before the year began, Gray has been the NRL's best player over the opening month of the season and leads the Dally M count by five points.
Mitchell, meanwhile, played four games in the halves for the Sydney Roosters in 2019 when he was primarily a left centre.
A long-term move to the halves would replicate similar notable transitions from the other players, such as Darren Lockyer.
Mitchell offered a glimpse of what was possible at five-eighth last week, with his brilliant cut-out ball for Isaiah Tass setting up victory over the Roosters.
And while Bennett said the plan was for Mitchell to take the No.1 jersey from Gray when Walker returned, the veteran coach could foresee a future at five-eighth.
"That's a possibility," Bennett said.
"But it's not now. It won't be next year, so Cody will be the five-eighth, and when we're all together properly Latrell will be the fullback.
"That's the plan. But it's just not in force at the moment."
Walker is expected to miss at least three weeks for the Bunnies, after he and halves partner Jamie Humphreys tore hamstrings in last week's win.
That will give Gray at least a few more games at the back, after a start to the season when he has regularly busted tackles and been a threat at the back.
"I think he can play in the centres, probably anywhere actually," Bennett said.
"He's highly skilled, and when I first started going to training with him, I could realise his communication was really good.
"He knows what's going on out there, and pretty smart.
"So all those things help him in getting through the game at his size, and that's quite an effort."
Bennett would not say whether big-money English half Lewis Dodd could slot into Souths' halves when he returns from suspension next week.
Dodd was hit with a one-game ban for a crusher tackle in NSW Cup last Sunday, denying him the chance to replace Humphreys at the start of his five-week injury.
The 23-year-old also missed round one through suspension, and ultimately lost out on the No.7 jersey when cut-price half Humphreys impressed in his place.
Jayden Sullivan will now play halfback this week.
"He's a bit unfortunate," Bennett said.
"He's had two opportunities to play in the NRL, and both times he's had a suspension. He's not an over-aggressive player.
"We're just going to have to wait and see what happens."
