Where star fullback Josh Dugan will play in 2016 has dominated preseason discussion around the Dragons with NSW Origin star stating his preference is to make a permanant shift to the centres.

With Dugan rested from Saturday’s Charity Shield clash with South Sydney, Mann will get first crack at the jumper but McGregor said all contenders will need to mount a compelling case for him to shift the incumbent NSW fullback. 

‘‘I keep saying it and I’ll say it again, Josh is the current NSW fullback so someone is going to have to play really well in these trials for me to move him because we’ve got some good centres as well,’’ McGregor said.

‘‘It’s a good chance to play the centres in the preferred positions and obviously Kurt at fullback with Josh missing the game.

‘‘With the games going forward and how much football Josh played last year it’s important we rest important guys at different times and we’ve got the opportunity to do that with Josh this weekend.

‘‘It’s a good opportunity for Kurt to play well.

‘‘He’s had a really tough preseason and he’s played most of it at fullback.

‘‘In all our ball work he’s had a hand mostly at fullback so yeah he’s going to get an opportunity this game and next game to prove he’s worthy of playing in that position.’’

Mann played 20 games for the Storm last season in the centres but, having come through the grades primarily as a five-eighth or fullback, McGregor believes he can offer a lot more in key ball-playing positions, likening him to Penrith captain Matt Moylan.

‘‘Because he’s played in the halves for most of his career he’s more of a ball-playing fullback [than Dugan],’’ McGregor said.

‘‘That was a big positive for us when Kurt came on the market not just as a centre because I don’t think that’s his best position.

“I think he played in that position because that’s where Melbourne needed him to play. He shows me a lot more as a 7,6, 1 type of player.

‘‘He’s very quick across the ground and at training he’s getting the defensive reads right. Obviously it’s going to be a step up in a game.

‘‘Josh is a big powerful runner and brings the ball back better than most and he’s got good skill to score but there’s more of an opportunity to play off Kurt out the back off shifts.

‘‘That’s probably where we lacked a little bit of try-scoring last year.

‘‘He’s more of a [Matt] Moylan type of player when you look at it.’’