Bulldogs star Matt Burton has declared five-eighth is his best position ahead of the 2024 season, but it remains unclear who he will partner in the halves.
The 23-year-old silenced rumours Canterbury-Bankstown coaches were considering switching him to the centres in November 2023 after reports suggested the move was on the cards.
Burton thrived in the centres for the premiership-winning Panthers in 2021 and even made his Origin debut alongside new teammate Stephen Crichton in 2022.
Now Burton has doubled down on his desire to play five-eighth when asked by foxsports.com.au if that role is where he can do the most damage.
“I think so, I’ve been working really hard on it this pre-season and want to knuckle down and have a good year,” he said.
“I’d like to start at five-eighth, that’s my main goal. But if I get put into the centres or wherever I’m happy to do what’s best for the side.”
Former Titans halfback Toby Sexton arrived at Belmore in a mid-season switch in 2023, becoming Burton’s halves partner for seven games.
However, he now faces stiff competition from Roosters veteran Drew Hutchison whose utility value earnt him comparisons to Tricolours legend Mitchell Aubusson.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson last year hailed Hutchison’s skills in a variety of positions following his side’s early season 28-20 win over the Eels.
“He’s a halfback, and he plays half and five-eighth and then he plays lock and then he plays centre,” Robinson said.
Now both Sexton and Hutchison are vying for the Bulldogs’ No.7 jersey in 2024 and the pair have been training in the position alongside Burton.
“We’ve still been swapping and changing our roles and Drewy (Hutchison) and Toby (Sexton) have both been going well,” Burton said.
“We will have to wait and see what happens… I feel like I’ve built a good connection with the halves who have stepped in each time we’ve changed the combos.
“We are all just gelling together and it is all coming together.
“(Hutchison) has been great for us, as you said the experience helps and he’s an older head so he helps the younger boys out.
“He brings a lot to the team as well, he’s got a great kicking game and takes a lot of pressure off the halves as well.”
The Bulldogs will be desperate to improve on their 15th place finish in 2023, with their defensive efforts under the spotlight in pre-season.
Cameron Ciraldo’s side had the worst defensive record in the competition and leaked 769 points, 94 more than the Tigers who won the wooden spoon.
Burton explained that defence has been a big focus for the Dogs in pre-season and also reflected on his own 2023 campaign.
“Our defence really wasn’t up to standard last year, we leaked way too many points and you can’t do that against good sides,” Burton said.
“They will punish you for it, that’s something we are really trying to knuckle down on this year is our defence. I feel like we are heading in the right direction.
“Not one of my best seasons personally, I feel like I could add a lot more value to the side and having a full pre-season under my belt was the main one for me last year.
“I missed out on last year’s pre-season and sort of floated into the season, so I feel a lot fitter this season.
“(I’ve been working on) little effort areas around my game, little supports and defence. I feel like I lacked (in those areas) last year.”
