IF NOT for a left-field decision by Redcliffe Dolphins coach John Dixon, the potential answer to South Sydney's halfback vacancy might still be working as a barman.

Twelve months ago, Ryan Carr was a reserve grade hooker and part-time barman who had been let go by the North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.

But after luring Carr to Redcliffe, Dixon thought the No.7 would suit the new boy's football smarts.

The 23-year-old Carr relished the opportunity, steering the Dolphins to the Queensland Cup semi-finals.

Carr is now tipped to fill the spot of Chris Sandow, following his departure to the Eels.

But he will have to fight off fellow Souths rookie Adam Reynolds.

The last Redcliffe half with blond locks to be plucked from the Queensland Cup was Daly Cherry-Evans.

If Carr achieves half of what Cherry-Evans has, long-suffering Rabbitohs fans will be delighted.

"Ryan has such a football brain. He's very clever on the football field," Dixon, a former assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos, said.

"I don't want to tell Michael McGuire (Rabbitohs coach) how to pick his team ... but Ryan is a smart halfback.

"He had been a hooker for the past three or four years until we got him here.

"His manager called me and told me about him and I said 'we don't need a hooker, we're desperate for a halfback though so we will have a look at him'.

"He ended up being excellent at the halfback role."

Carr was signed by the Rabbitohs last July along with Dolphins teammate, fullback Justin Hunt. The pair, under a media ban, were impressive in the Rabbitohs trial last Saturday against the Warrington Wolves, with Carr scoring a late try.

"We still have a couple of trials to go before we make any decisions," McGuire said.

"Ryan has a great kicking game and his voice around the place is getting stronger.

"He's done very well up in Queensland and is another guy putting his hand up and working hard at his game.

"It's a big opportunity."