Johnathan Thurston believes St George Illawarra must move Gareth Widdop

Kangaroo great Johnathan Thurston has urged St George Illawarra to put Gareth Widdop back in the No. 6 jersey immediately.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Gareth Widdop of the Dragons is tackled during the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on March 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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Kangaroo great Johnathan Thurston has urged St George Illawarra to put Gareth Widdop back in the No. 6 jersey immediately — convinced Corey Norman would be better served playing a 'Super Sub' role from the bench.

Only a fortnight into the 2019 season, a giant question mark suddenly hangs over the Dragons spine after a club many considered genuine contenders has dropped consecutive games against North Queensland and South Sydney.

While obviously hampered by the loss of NSW Origin stars Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell, Thurston suggested the Red V not only undertake an immediate overhaul, but said coach Paul McGregor should mimic Queensland's successful Origin blueprint of recent years.

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Now working as a Channel 9 analyst, the Maroons great told The Saturday Telegraph he would move Widdop from fullback to five-eighth, Matt Dufty from the bench to fullback and Norman from six to an interchange role.

Thurston said Norman should be injected into games as a forward, with hooker Cam McInnes switching to lock in defence.

“I'd suggest he (McGregor) take a look at what Queensland has done in the past with guys like Michael Morgan and Daly Cherry Evans on the bench,’’ Thurston said.

“Queensland always had a game plan to get them involved. Used them to create ruck speed and had plays to execute.

“At the Dragons, they're all talented players but they need a strict game plan to get the best out of them."

Over the opening fortnight of competition, Widdop has run for just 40m from fullback.

"Dufty has to be the starting fullback," Thurston said. "He's coming on far too late.

"I'd put Norman to the bench and inject him into the game for a forward.

"McInnes shifts to lock in defence but would stay at hooker in attack, giving them a half on each side.

“That allows them to get to 70 to 75 per cent of the field. They could get to the right or left post and effectively have two halves on each side of the ruck which could create a lot.

"The shape you get off the back of those four boys with their speed would get plenty of one-on-ones."

Widdop has struggled in his first two matches at fullback. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Certainly, Widdop would prefer to be five-eighth.

Yet while Brad Fittler suggested during Thursday’s Nine telecast that he be released to England now, the player himself said "I'm committed to the Dragons this year, I won't be going anywhere".

But as for playing fullback?

"I've played in the NRL a long time now and five-eighth is my number one position," he said. "But if Mary believes my best fit for this team is fullback I'll go out there and do a job.

"At the end of the day, it's the coach's decision."

So you're comfortable?

"Yeah, (but) I'm still learning," he continued. "I've played there in small parts for England but it's a new position. I'm not an expert at it and I'm going to have to keep working hard."

Norman, meanwhile, suggested all the spine talk was a media beat-up.

"I don't know why it's a talking point," he said.

"Our attack isn't the issue, our defence is.

"Some of the tries we let in against Souths, it wasn't up to standard. But that's not our attack.

"I don't know if youse want to make it an issue. I don't understand."