Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett admits he still isn't quite sure how he will use utility David Mead off the bench in his side's clash with the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.
Mead has been kept in the Broncos side after a stellar club debut last week, scoring a try after starting on the wing for the injured Corey Oates.
With Oates returning to the side this week, Bennett was left with no choice but to include the Queensland Maroon in his side's starting line-up when it was announced on Tuesday.
But it was not all bad news for Mead, with regular utility Kodi Nikorima moving to halfback this week in the absence of the injured Ben Hunt.
This meant a utility spot had opened up on the Broncos' bench, and Bennett said he had to put Mead there after an excellent showing in Brisbane's Round 6 win over the Sydney Roosters.
"Yeah I don't know I was just thinking about (how to use him) actually. I don't really have any idea. I'll just see what happens," Bennett said.
"He won the players' player award for us last week. He was outstanding for us.
"He's better in the team then out of the team.
"He'll have the number 17 on his back but he's a capable bloke who can play fullback, centre or wing.
"Darius [Boyd] can play in the halves if we have to push that button. There are plenty of options there."
In fact Bennett was so impressed with Mead's performance that he reiterated his shock that this week's opponents the Titans ever let him go.
"I was surprised the Titans let him go. He's a quality person and a quality player," he said.
"I'm really pleased to have him at the club."
In other Brisbane team news, Korbin Sims passed a fitness test on Thursday and will take his place in the side.
He may not start as named though, with the Broncos training with he and Sam Thaiday on the bench.
It means the Broncos are likely to announce positional changes one hour before kick-off like they did against the Roosters in Round 6, with Alex Glenn and either Herman Ese'ese or Tevita Pangai Junior potential starters.
Either way it will be a strong Brisbane line-up on Friday night, but Bennett said he is still expecting Gold Coast to lift in the local derby.
"We just have to worry about our own game on Friday night," he said.
"We know what the Titans are going to bring. They are going to play hard.
"They'll probably play 30 per cent better than they've played all season because they are playing us."
