Melbourne youngster Scott Drinkwater has his nose in front of teammate Jahrome Hughes as the race to claim the fullback spot vacated by club legend Billy Slater heats up.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith has been impressed with Drinkwater since he joined his teammates for a two-week training camp in Geelong.

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP NOW!

A trial game against the New Zealand Warriors at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on Friday, February 22, will provide more clues about coach Craig Bellamy’s thinking on the role.

“Drinkwater has been training quite exceptionally to be honest,” Smith told reporters in Geelong on Friday.

“He is probably the guy who has impressed me the most the last couple of weeks but I dare say both those guys will be getting some game time in that first trial game.

“Craig likes to share that game time around in that first match then you will have a fair indication in that second game who will get the No.1 jersey for round one.”

The Storm will play a second trial match against North Queensland in Mackay on Saturday, March 2.

There had been some speculation star five-eighth Cameron Munster could shift to fullback, but Smith ruled that out.

“He hasn’t trained at all at fullback,” Smith said.

“I think that’s a clear indication of Craig Bellamy’s thoughts there.”

Whoever wins the coveted role, Smith said it will be important for that player to make it his own after Slater called time on his decorated 319-game career following last year’s grand final defeat.

“They are huge shoes to fill... can you replace Billy Slater? You can’t,” he said.

“There are certain things we need that person to do to play his role in the side. But we don’t want whoever gets that position to try to be Billy Slater. We need them to be themselves.

“That will be good enough.”

MORE NRL NEWS

‘IT WAS PRETTY EMBARRASSING’: THE SHAME DRIVING CARTWRIGHT IN 2019

BIG BUNNY BLOW: INGLIS WIPED OUT FOR PRE-SEASON WITH A KNEE INJURY

SUMMER SLOG: FIFITA’S KIND GESTURE TO JOHNSON, WAYNE’S FUNNY QUIRK REVEALED

HOPPA V GAL: HOPPA CALLS FOR PRE-FIGHT DRUG TESTING AS GAL’S ‘BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE’