Manly debutant Jamie Humphreys has set his sights on claiming South Sydney's No.7 jersey, after confirming a two-year deal with the Rabbitohs.
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Stuck behind Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks at the Sea Eagles, Humphreys impressed while filling in on debut at halfback against Newcastle on Sunday.
But his first outing in the NRL was largely a mirage for Manly fans, with the 22-year-old having signed with South Sydney months ago.
Elevated to a full-time development player at the Sea Eagles in 2021, Humphreys had been a long-term project at Manly in the halves.
But he was moved into a hooking role last year in reserve grade, with coaches believing that would be his best path to an NRL spot at the club.
Jake Arthur's injury and Brandon Wakeham's ban then prompted a return to No.7 in NSW Cup, before he scored a try in Sunday's debut.
And it is an NRL role in the halves that Humphreys wants to pursue on his move to the Rabbitohs next year.
Souths have given injured No.7 Lachlan Ilias permission to look elsewhere, while their $700,000 Super League recruit Lewis Dodd has been dropped by St Helens.
"I feel most naturally comfortable in the halves," Humphreys said.
"Playing (Sunday) proved to me I can handle that level. It's something that now I have a taste of, I want to keep going with it and build off that.
"It's something I want to continue. I don't want to be one and done, I want to build off this. I'm really excited by it."
Humphreys' signing at South Sydney makes him one of the first recruits by Wayne Bennett ahead of next year, alongside current Dolphin Euan Aitken.
Having spent part of his teens living in England, Humphreys had a chance to forge a Super League career with the London Broncos.
He knocked that offer back to move to Manly in 2020, where his father Stephen was CEO.
Humphreys debut was particularly popular with around 50 of his friends on Sunday, who wore specially-designed shirts and each successfully placed bets on him as first try-scorer.
And the half admitted he ideally did not want to leave the Sea Eagles, with his links to including a stint selling merchandise at Manly Leagues Club during the COVID period.
"Footy isn't always how you want it to turn out," he said.
"I never expected those things to happen. But it's a business at the end of the day.
"It was definitely (hard). I've got really strong relationships with lots of people here. Not just the footy staff but all the admin and fans and community.
"To be able to debut in front of them is something I will cherish forever."
Australian Associated Press
