Luke Lewis made his name at the Penrith Panthers as a winger in their premiership-winning 2003 team but the classy Cronulla Shark has revealed just how he made his transition from the backs into the engine room ahead of his 300th NRL game this weekend.

“I played a trial game and broke my finger,” Lewis told NRL 360 on Fox League.

“I came back about six weeks later and we were playing at Bankstown Stadium and (Coach) Matty Elliott put me on the bench.

“Adam Woolnough got a knee injury and I think big Trent Waterhouse moved to the backrow and (Elliott) said ‘Lewy, go and play lock’.

“I hadn’t trained there all week and ended up getting players’ player after the game and I just really enjoyed it.

“From there I sort of became a fill-in for the club and played wherever Matty wanted me to play.

“It really brought back the love of the game, to be honest.”