Dec 31st, 2018

Dec 31st, 2018

Dragons coach Paul McGregor is poised to take a major gamble by switching star five-eighth Gareth Widdop to fullback this season.

Most critics and fans assumed that new signing Corey Norman would take on the No.1 role, leaving the tried and tested combination of Widdop and Ben Hunt in the halves.

Norman has played plenty of fullback in the past and has the speed and evasiveness to make a go of the position.

But Wide World Of Sports has learned that McGregor is leaning towards using skipper Widdop at fullback, in what is almost certainly his last season at the club before returning to England.

Widdop is an excellent talker and reader of the game and would be able to organise the defensive line from the fullback spot.

His attacking skills would also see him chime into the backline, combining with Hunt and Norman to give the Dragons plenty of strike power.

Star youngster Matt Dufty is also in the mix but may have to cool his heels in NSW Cup before getting his opportunity.

Gareth Widdop is set to play fullback for the Dragons. (AAP)

JOHNSTON WANTS OUT OF SOUTH SYDNEY

The word out of Redfern is that try-scoring ace Alex Johnston is still not happy and wants a release before the start of 2019.

Johnston wants to play fullback but new coach Wayne Bennett is likely to hand that job to skipper Greg Inglis, leaving Johnston out on the wing.

Several clubs are interested in the speedy utility back and Souths are currently considering whether to let him go.

Alex Johnston wants a fresh start in the NRL. (AAP)

RABBITOHS FAVOURITE RETURNS

Fourteen years after making his debut for South Sydney, Yileen ‘Buddy’ Gordon is set to wear the red and green again in 2019.

A journeyman utility player who represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2010, Gordon has had a chequered career.

He was touted as a star of the future when he burst into the top grade for the Bunnies in 2005 at the age of just 18.

But on and off field problems saw him fail to fulfill his potential and he has been through a string of clubs, playing for Wentworthville last year in the NSW Cup.

Still only 31, he will start in reserve grade but his talents may just win him a fan in new coach Wayne Bennett.

Yileen 'Buddy' Gordon (R) is back with South Sydney. (AAP)

SHARKS COACHING CONTENDER BARRED

Cronulla are holding off appointing a new coach until Shane Flanagan’s appeal against suspension is heard.

But there is one less horse in the race to replace him, with the Roosters barring assistant coach Adam O’Brien to from officially applying for the position.

In most cases, clubs allow assistant coaches to go for a top grade spot if one becomes available.

But given the Roosters have only just signed O’Brien from Melbourne, their stance is understandable.