Thaiday becoming a happy hooker

SAM Thaiday says his volunteer service as a starting hooker has reinvigorated his season with the Broncos.

Thaiday said he was amused when even former clubmate Jarrod Wallace and his Gold Coast Titans teammates thought it was a smokescreen selection that he would play dummy-half Andrew McCullough’s year ended with a knee injury.

Thaiday has started at hooker in the two subsequent matches, making it nine starts for him from 20 appearances this year.

The 2006 premiership player disclosed that he had suggested to coach Wayne Bennett that he start the game as dummy-half before Ben Hunt replaced him.

“It’s given me a chance to start. I’ve loved it,’’ he said.

“Now my job is to really own that position going forward this year.

“Rugby league has for me always been about challenging myself and doing different things within the team. I’ve played backrow for the club, frontrow and come off the bench. “This is a new role for me and I like those. Otherwise, it starts becoming more of a chore.

“Definitely it works having four bigger forwards out there (from the kick-off).

“It’s enjoyable to see Ben come out and do what he does best and run out of dummyhalf, as he’s done.’’