Centre of attention: Holmes eying positional switch

Cowboys star Valentine Holmes has declared that his recent move to the centres may be permanent but he will still have a licence to roam in the new role.

Acknowledging previous comments that he saw himself strictly as a fullback, Holmes said that as he gets older - and after a good chat to coach Todd Payten - he is now enjoying the switch and had been training to play left centre this season.

"I played right centre at the end of last year, then I had a chat to Toddy at the end of the year in our season review and he wanted to see me at left centre," Holmes said.

"Obviously they brought [former Warriors right-side centre] Peta Hiku in; I'm really enjoying it."

One of the key reasons for Holmes' shift to the centres last season was to accommodate speedster and 2021 Queensland Origin debutant Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at the back.

"I like that option. I haven't played centre for a while now. I haven't played any first grade centre beside the end of last year and I'm really enjoying it. It's different defending in the line next to your half but I'm really enjoying it."

"'Hammer' is going really well; he's young, quick, athletic, a good skilful player," Holmes added.

"We've got to give him his opportunities. More so our edges need a little bit of experience or a bit of mobility out there so [Payten] wanted to try and test me and put me out there.

Holmes has been given a licence to roam, a la Tom Trbojevic in Origin, with his experience and ball-playing abilities on an edge potentially a major asset to a young Cowboys side that struggled in both attack and defence on the flanks last season.

"He's given me the key to pass, to roam around the field when the ball goes away from my edge, kind of sniff around, try and get back out on my side and try and be ready to play footy at all times," Holmes said.

"I think Tommy did a pretty good job showing what he can do, he plays fullback for his club, centre for Origin and he was their best player on the field in Origin playing centre. It's more following the ball and always being ready."

As for prior comments about his preference for the No.1 jersey?

"Obviously I did state that's where I wanted to play but as I'm getting older I feel like I'm getting pushed out [wider] a bit," Holmes said.

"There's a lot of good young fellas coming through which is making it a good challenge for me. I still play a bit of fullback, I trained a bit of fullback today.

"I still like to help [Hammer] out with communication keys. I'm enjoying playing centre so I feel like that's where I'd like to finish off [my career]."