Mark Mercuri was at the wrong end of the ground today in the intra club match at Optus Oval. But according to Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy he was actually at the right end of the oval and defence is likely to become his new home. Mercuri played across half-back for the majority of the intra club match and Sheedy is keen to persevere with the dual premiership player in back half. ""He will play up there in Sydney next week. He needs to learn to play in different spots and that will be good for him,"" Sheedy said.

""There is no reason why playing in defence won’t lengthen Mark’s career. He has got very good ball skills and his body is right at present. As long as his mind is right and he wants to get somewhere with his footy, there is no reason why he can’t play back there,"" Sheedy said. Mercuri had his work cut out for him today, playing on rookie Andrew Lovett in the first half. Lovett's lightening pace caused Mercuri a few headaches at times throughout the match.

Mercuri's close friend and teammate Joe Misiti got plenty of the ball in today's match. The 28-year-old was busy in the mid-field winning the ball and he looks super fit and set for a big season. ""Joe always travels very solidly. He is a damn good player. It is like all those players that aren’t super quick mid-fielders, they just find the ball,"" Sheedy said.

Click here for more news from today's intra club match.