One month after being gutted by demotion to the bench, St George Illawarra young gun Talatau Amone says he's ready to seize his chance if called to start at five-eighth again.
Amone is the most likely option to partner Ben Hunt in the Dragons' halves in the NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Sunday, with Jack Bird fighting to overcome an arm injury.
If recalled, it would cap a rollercoaster opening two months of the season for 20-year-old Amone.
Branded the future of the Dragons alongside teenage fullback Tyrell Sloan at the start of the year, the pair lasted just three games in the Dragons' spine before being dropped.
Sloan has since spent the past month fighting to regain his place from reserve grade while Amone has been playing limited NRL minutes off the bench.
"We were definitely gutted about it," Amone said.
"We had a chat to each other and just said we would put our heads down and work back to a starting spot.
"And once that time comes again we will get that chance again and take it with both hands."
Amone said the demotion ensured he would not take a starting spot for granted.
He said coach Anthony Griffin had told him to impress off the bench "and once I am ready, I will be ready to take that No.6 jersey again, when I start backing myself and performing."
Bird suffered a suspected broken arm before halftime against the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day and Amone impressed off the bench, breaking the line once as the Dragons held on for a 14-12 win.
The club have named Bird to play at No.6 against the Tigers, but it's believed that was more a measure of hope in case secondary scans cleared him.
"If he's not healthy, I will definitely be ready to take it," Amone said.
"Whatever time I (have been able to) get on the field I just try and bring as much energy as I can and perform the best I can."
Amone predicted that Sloan would not have to wait long before regaining the Dragons fullback role.
The 19-year-old busted seven tackles and scored a try in the Dragons' reserve grade win over North Sydney on Sunday, while also setting up five tries in his four games there.
"The way he is playing I feel like he will be (back in first grade) soon."
Australian Associated Press
