Morris more than happy to 'wing it'

Veteran Sharks centre Josh Morris says he hasn't played regular wing since 2008 but has embraced his return to the flank at Cronulla.

It was more than a decade ago when Morris and his twin brother Brett were regulars on the wing at the Dragons.

While Morris is set to return to his accustomed right centre spot this week due to Matt Moylan sitting out with concussion and Josh Dugan dropping back to fullback, he has been spending plenty of time on the flanks this year as he, Dugan and youngster Bronson Xerri have rotated backline spots.

It has helped him make an impact on the score-sheet – the three above-mentioned players are currently equal top try-scorers for the Sharks in 2019 with 10 apiece.

"I think the last time [I was there regularly] was 2008. There's little things you've got to work on but it's like riding a bike, you don't forget how to do it," Morris told NRL.com.

"It was enjoyable on the weekend (in the win over Souths) and it was enjoyable to be on the end of some backline movements and get across the stripe."

Morris said it was up to experienced players like himself and Dugan to shift around to suit the needs of the team due to their ability to play multiple spots.

"We've got a luxury in this team where we have blokes that have played in positions throughout their career and they can get the job done," Morris added.

"That's the good thing about this side and blokes are just doing whatever job is required of them and I've been lucky enough to be on the end of some good set finishes.

"[Dugan and I] have both played a number of games in different positions but we've got that experience there as well, it doesn't matter what number we have on our back, we're going to go out there and do a job regardless so I think that's a definite positive and it's handy for Bomber (coach John Morris) to have up his sleeve."

While Morris has been winding back the clock 11 years, twin Brett over at the Roosters was getting regular time at centre for the first time ever in his career.

"We were having a laugh about it saying he's going in and I'm going out," Morris said.

"I guess that comes with experience, it doesn't matter what number you have on your back, you're going to go out and perform the same way week in week out and that's why the coaches can afford to put you in different positions. It's just about going out and doing whatever's best for the team."

There's every chance Morris's return to centre this week could be a one-off with Moylan likely to return in round 22.

"[Moylan's concussion] will probably push Duges to the back and I'll play right centre but we've been swapping in games as well, if Duges is getting a bit tired I can go back and help out as well so you may see me pop up ion a few places the same as Duges," he said.

"We just work that out during training and just do the job that's required."

More than anything Morris was relieved the club was back in the winner's circle with two straight wins coming after five straight losses ahead of a crunch match with fellow top-eight hopefuls Penrith on Friday night.

"It's a massive game for us, we're on the same amount of points," Morris said.

"We need to keep winning. It's that simple, we need to keep winning to make the eight. It is a big game, we haven't won three games in a row all year so there's a massive incentive for us to do that.

"I guess it's going to be the old cliché, whoever wants it more is going to win on the day. We're preparing well and we're confident."