Matt Moylan will return to his "natural" position of fullback in 2019, with interim Cronulla coach John Morris confident that's where the 27-year-old plays his best football.
Moylan hasn't played fullback on a full-time basis since the first half of 2017, but a return to the role in 2019 is now certain following Valentine Holmes' departure to American football and Shaun Johnson's arrival from the Warriors.
A fullback when he first came into the NRL in 2013, Moylan moved to the halves two seasons ago at a same time where he was considered as a NSW State of Origin five-eighth option.
But an analysis of his career shows he averages more tries, try-assists, linebreaks, linebreak-assists, metres and tackle busts at the back, while he is also more reliable in defence.
"Matty is a natural fullback for mine, he likes the unstructured style of footy and last year was a challenge fitting him into halves," Morris said.
"He was going a bit between fullback and halves, and Valentine was on the wing for a bit, so we never had that continuity in that position until halfway through the year.
"And then when Valentine went to the back and Matty to the halves we went to another level.
"For Matty it is that consistency of one position (he needs) and for me that is at fullback ... where he has obviously played his strongest footy at NRL level."
Still only in the role of head coach on an interim basis following Shane Flanagan's proposed deregistration by the NRL, Morris said he wouldn't make any big changes to the Sharks' structure.
Moylan's move means Josh Dugan will stay at wing or centre and Johnson will partner Chad Townsend in the halves.
The pair played together at the Warriors in 2014 and 2015, winning 19 of 34 games together but failing to take the NRL club to the finals.
Morris said the Kiwi halfback had already impressed in his initial few sessions and provided a much-needed boost following the Flanagan news.
"We went over our break and the club had the news of Shane and whatnot," Morris said.
"We turn up to training on Monday and Shaun Johnson is throwing he ball around with the kids and the enthusiasm goes up a bit.
"Part of my job is to make sure Shaun fits in and his made a really good start so far. He has had three or four quality sessions with the club already."
Meanwhile rookie Blake Brailey will be the club's second hooker in 2019 alongside his older brother Jayden, after James Segeyaro went unsigned.
AAP
