He's spent the majority of his NRL career playing in the halves, hoooker or at fullback - but Newcastle Knights utility Connor Watson is ready to take the bull by the horns in his new position of lock this season.

The 23-year old has struggled to lock down a position during the early stages of his first grade career but has looked promising all the way across the spine.

But after the club signed Sharks dummy half Jayden Brailey for 2020, Watson now finds himself ready to tackle an unfamiliar role of lock forward and wants to emulate Cam Murray and Victor Radley's style.

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“I’ll be taking kick-off carries and that," he laughed during a media session on Thursday.

"Nah it will be a similar role to how Victor (Radley) and Cam Murray play, I have been looking at ball-playing and all that.

“I played a bit of 13 at the Roosters, and in my last year played all through the semis there.

"It’s good I enjoyed it, it’s a bit different – but obviously I haven’t played there for a while.

"It’s still a while away so we will see how it goes."

Watson could find himself filling in at hooker at stages during games if Brailey was to go off - but his time in the No.6 jumper appear over with rookie Phoenix Crossland set to get the spot.

With 74 NRL games under his belt since debuting in 2016, the knockabout bloke from Dubbo has finally realised that his versatility is more of a blessing than a curse.

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“It's definitely a blessing...but I used to think it was a curse," he said.

"But with it I can just help the team in all positions and for me I had to look at it from the perspective that I get to do what I love.

"For me, I’m just a footballer and it’s hard to put a position on me.

“The competition for spots has gone to a new level I think. Everyone wants to be in that 17, everyone is vying for spots which has been good.

"It has been heated which is always fun. We’re all competitors, that’s why we are here."

The Knights will kick off their 2020 campaign against the Warriors on Saturday March 14th at McDonald Jones Stadium.