A beefed-up Benji Marshall will look to re-ignite his running game this NRL season after being forced to play the role of provider for most of the Wests Tigers' disastrous 2012 campaign.
Injuries and a lack of a specialist half-back following the sacking of Robert Lui at the end of 2011, forced Marshall to shift from his preferred five-eighth to half-back for much of last year.
The positional switch detracted from the New Zealand captain's trademark running game as the pre-season favourites finished a disappointing 10th on the ladder.
After completing his first full pre-season in five years, Marshall has added considerable bulk to his frame and warned rivals he's ready to put it to good use in his 11th NRL season.
"I want to run the ball a bit more," the 27-year-old declared.
"I know last year my running game was down a bit but I was probably trying to ball-play a little bit too much.
"I set up a few tries but I want to score a few this year."
Asked if his back-to-the-future strategy is a directive of new coach Mick Potter, Marshall replied: "No not really, he just told me that he wants me to play my game which is pretty much running the ball.
"And to get me away from having to be the guy that directs the team around the field and just concentrate on being wider and giving me a bit more space."
"It (half-back) is just a different position and something that's not as suited to my game.
"If I had to say there's a certain style that suits me it's playing wider with a bit more space and a bit more room to move.
"Last year we didn't really have much of a choice at half-back at the time and someone had to put their hand up and that was me."
Young-gun Jacob Miller will be given first crack at the No.7 jumper this season, with utility Tim Moltzen to concentrate on the full-back position.
"Jacob's been training well there, the ball is in his court really and I'm just happy to be back in the six jersey to be honest," Marshall said.
The pair will get their first hit-out together in Saturday's trial against Parramatta at Campbelltown.
"It's just good to get out of pre-season ... we've been training so hard and I'm just looking forward to playing," Marshall said.
Miller added: "The combination is starting to come together nicely. Me and Benji are pretty close which helps as well which helps.
"To be playing alongside the likes of Benji Marshall ... it's a dream come true really and there's not much more that I could ask for.
"I suppose organising is one of my strengths so if I can just take a little bit of pressure and just chip in here and there it'll benefit the team, that's for sure."
