Brisbane Broncos forward Jarrod Wallace is open to a full-time move to lock in the near future – just don't compare him to Corey Parker.
Wallace, who has spent the majority of his NRL career playing as a prop, filled in at lock for the absent Parker on Friday night, with the Brisbane captain in Queensland Origin camp.
A total of 273 games separate the two Broncos forwards in terms of NRL experience and Wallace has made it his mission to learn under the 34-year-old Brisbane veteran since making his debut in 2012.
Wallace had a solid game in the No.13 during Brisbane's 19-18 loss to the Wests Tigers, running for 107 metres and making 41 tackles in a typically busy performance.
The 24-year-old says although he would be happy to make a permanent move to the position when Parker decides to call time on his decorated career, it would be almost impossible to have the same impact that Parker has had since moving to lock in 2009.
"It's alright playing there. These days lock is just another front-rower," Wallace said.
"The only difference is you stand at the front on the 40-metre line during kick-off. It doesn't really change my job too much so I was fine with it.
"I didn't really feel too much pressure, but a lot of people kept mentioning that I had big shoes to fill.
"I knew I had a job to do and obviously Corey is big part of our team so if I could have done half the job he does for us then I would have been happy."
Wallace one day hopes to emulate Parker and make it into the Queensland Origin camp, something six of his Brisbane teammates have managed to do this season.
Parker, Matt Gillett, Corey Oates, Sam Thaiday and Darius Boyd are all in camp ahead of the Holden State of Origin series opener, but Wallace is most impressed with teammate Josh McGuire's effort to be playing for the Maroons 11 months after sustaining an injury that many thought may end his career.
McGuire ruptured his Achilles tendon in June last year, missing Game Three of the 2015 Origin series and the rest of the 2015 NRL season.
He has since returned in career-best form – playing for Australia and now Queensland.
"The boys that are away on camp are obviously there for a reason. They are a massive part of our side and have been laying some great footy," Wallace said.
"'Gillo' and 'Cozza' are playing the best footy of their career.
"For Josh to come back from an Achilles injury like he has is outstanding and then you've got 'Oatesy' playing some great footy on the wing
"We have some great depth when times like these do come. If we did a few things differently on Friday night I think we could have got the win but unfortunately it wasn't to be."
