If the Titans need someone to fill a void in the halves this weekend against the Storm, Jacob Alick is willing to put his hand up.
"Speaking to Jimmy every week, he just tells me to be ready for anything.... he actually said on the weekend that I could end up playing five-eighth and I said put me in, coach," he joked.
"To be honest, we've got a couple of players on the bench that can cover a few positions, but I just want to plug in anywhere.
"To get minutes in first grade is the dream so I just want to put my best foot forward wherever I'm on the field."
Having to fill a void in the centres for the second half against the Panthers, the 23-year-old admitted it was his first crack in the outside backs, but impressed with a classy offload - all part of wanting to continue evolving as all-round player in his second NRL appearance.
"Never... I've never played there," Alick said.
"I've obviously plugged in there a couple of times when there's been injuries and stuff like that, but I was absolutely scared out there... but I loved it and it was really good and different experience, but I really want to keep showing my versatility."
Match: Storm v Titans
Round 26 -
home Team
Storm
4th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Named to play in his first away trip to Melbourne to face the Storm, Alick will watch his Burleigh Bears team play in their qualifying final from afar as he continues to make his mark in the NRL; but will be happy to return to Pizzey Park should his opportunity not come in Titans colours.
"Obviously first grade is everyone's dream, so I'd love to play the last two games here," he said.
"With Burleigh, I've obviously played all year there and I love my footy there, so if I'm not getting picked in first grade, I'd love to be playing at Burleigh and obviously pushing for a grand final and hopefully win that Cup there."
The Papua New Guinea Kumuls forward is also looking forward to the upcoming Pacific Championships, hoping to continue building on his International game after a strong debut World Cup at the end of last season.
"I absolutely want to try and take my footy to the next level and maybe lead that side around and maybe put the 13 jersey on again like I did in the World Cup," Alick said.
"Also, I hope to show my versatility and that space for Des (Hasler) as well and try and push my case for next year.
"The speed of NRL is obviously changing and you get the gist of how you need to perform every week and can't be up and down all the time, you've got to be on... especially in those Pacific Tests where everyone's up for it and everyone's got so much emotion on the line.
"I think I can bring myself to the next level in those Tests, so I'm looking forward to it."
