Who says that it takes years to learn the trade at halfback? It took Joe Stimson only 10 minutes.
After sitting on the bench for the entire first half, Stimson was suddenly given the playmaking duties when Ryley Jacks was forced from the field with a head knock just before the break.
While Jacks was still being assessed it was left to Stimson to fill in and then when the decision was made for Jacks to not return, the 22-year-old was given the halfback job.
And just 10 minutes into the second half Stimson cut through the Titans line and offloaded to Felise Kaufusi who scored to get Melbourne back in the game.
The baptism of fire had worked.
"Craig told me at half-time I was going to be there at three minutes, which I thought was sweet," Stimson said.
"Then Marc Brentnall, one of our trainers, came out and said I was there for the rest of the game I thought 'you have got to be kidding'. I had never played there before.
"I was fortunate enough to be on an edge with Will Chambers and Felise Kaufusi who really made my job quite easy."
As for whether the shift to the halves is a permanent one, Stimson has his serious doubts.
"God no, I'm happy with the back row for sure."
