Rookie Field’s No.1 priority

Used a bench utility in his NRL debut in the win over Penrith on Saturday, Field believes his playing future could be wearing the No.1 jersey. 

Dugan is considering a new deal with the club, which is likely to see him shift to the centres permanently as early as next year. 

After experimenting with Kurt Mann at the back last season, coach Paul McGregor now has emerging talent Matt Dufty as another option.

However, Field said he was eyeing a shift there, instead of playing in the halves alongside captain Gareth Widdop, or Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt, who arrives in Wollongong next year.

“I’ve played a lot of fullback growing up,” he said. 

“I’d like to play fullback down the track when I get more size, probably the body is not up to playing fullback at the moment.

“I’m a natural runner, fast and good on my feet, so maybe I’ll look to play there down the track.”

Dugan has played representative games for NSW and Australia in the centres, but, coming off contract at the end of the season, is considering his options for next year. 

McGregor has backed Field as a utility option this year, as his forward pack was a dominant force in the shock 42-10 triumph over Penrith.

Teammate Joel Thompson declared Field has the potential to be a “superstar”.

“He’s still very young, but he’s going to be a superstar,”  Thompson said. “He’s got all the talent in the world, but it would be good to just bring him on with bits and pieces (playing time) along the year.” 

Field admits he has had to adjust to McGregor’s utility plan, coming on with 11 minutes remaining when the Dragons had already banked the two competition points.

“It’s a little bit different, I’ve always been out there getting a feel of the game straight away,” Field said.

“… Minutes are minutes in the NRL, it was good I got that debut out of the way.

“The game was wrapped up, so I got a little free rein to do whatever I could do.”

After five of their seven tries were scored through the forwards when they thumped the Panthers, Field will be hoping to help spark the backline against Parramatta’s star-studded cast.

Bevan French and Corey Norman each scored tries, as Parramatta opened their season with a 20-12 win over Manly at the newly-named Lottoland.

Round two

Sunday (6.30pm)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v PARRAMATTA EELS

WIN Stadium

TV: Live on Fox Sports League