Lockyer's surprise call on Holmes' future

Cowboys limb Valentine Holmes should successful 2022 determination from fullback to the centres to vacate the No.1 jumper for Scott Drinkwater, says erstwhile Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer.

The accomplishment of Chad Townsend during the off-season volition contiguous manager Todd Payten a puzzle.

The rookie mentor volition apt privation Holmes, Drinkwater, Townsend and 20-year-old halfback Tom Dearden successful his starting side, but wherever helium plays them is uncertain.

Holmes has chiefly called fullback location since returning from the NFL for the 2020 NRL season, portion he's besides had little stints arsenic a winger – but Lockyer says Payten should undertake different experiment.

"I deliberation Drinkwater's champion presumption is fullback. I deliberation Val Holmes – erstwhile helium goes to that adjacent level, rep level, fullback isn't his champion position, but helium tin decidedly play a bully relation arsenic an NRL fullback," Lockyer said connected Wide World of Sports' QLDER.

Valentine Holmes shapes to pass. (Getty)

"If you're bringing Townsend successful and (you've already got) Dearden, who's a large kid with a fantastic cognition and I deliberation he's conscionable looking for that small spot of assurance and that'll travel with immoderate wins ...

"But I deliberation ... if you played Val Holmes possibly successful the centres and springiness him that quality to roam, similar Turbo did successful the Origin ... I deliberation helium tin bash that."

Legendary Broncos back-rower Sam Thaiday, connected the contrary, believes Holmes should play connected a helping adjacent twelvemonth and young speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow astatine fullback.

Tabuai-Fidow has played the bulk of his 25-game NRL vocation successful the centres and connected a wing, but he's filled successful astatine fullback erstwhile Holmes has been injured.

Scott Drinkwater crashes into a Will Chambers tackle. (Getty)

Tabuai-Fidow's astir caller tally astatine fullback came successful Round 18, erstwhile the Queensland State of Origin livewire recorded a try, 2 line-breaks, six tackle busts and 271 metres.

"I deliberation (Holmes is) a small spot clunky (at fullback) inactive and I thought Hamiso truly played immoderate fantastic shot determination ... I'd similar them to propulsion and prosecute that adjacent year," Thaiday said.

"We each cognize that Val is simply a fantastic winger and adjacent if you conscionable springiness him the quality to roam – if they are going to beryllium attacking connected a agelong close borderline and he's playing connected the near wing, fto him get retired determination and plaything successful down and bash what helium wants."

Darren Lockyer barking orders during his legendary NRL vocation with the Broncos. (Getty)

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