Dolphins prop Josh Kerr has declared he wants to captain the club as he targets a round one spot on the back of several sprays from his coach Wayne Bennett.
The 28-year-old shed 10kg in the off-season to be at 102kg and in the best shape of his career.
There are few more gregarious characters than Kerr in the NRL.
He grew up in Redcliffe before moving away to pursue his career elsewhere, joining the Dolphins midway through last season from St George Illawarra on a deal through to the end of 2025.
It would be fair to call Kerr a 'Dolphins tragic' who is consumed by his love for the club - and his desire to lead it when captain Jesse Bromwich retires.
"My dream and my goal for the future is to captain this club and be a starter too," Kerr said.
"That takes hard work. All I know is that I am putting my best foot forward and things will take care of themselves.
"This is where I grew up. I just bought a house two streets over (from the club), I love the area. I have always wanted to play here.
"Last year was a bit devastating, watching the guys play round one from afar.
"I was so ... envious of the boys who ran out.
"My mentality was to get here and become someone who is up on the board when you walk in the clubhouse."
Kerr is a Bennett disciple, and there is something of a bromance between the pair.
The coach has shown in the past how much he values Kerr for what he brings to a group.
Bennett picked the prop in the 2020 State of Origin squad for Queensland.
Kerr didn't feature but was presented with the Peter Jackson Memorial Award, given to the player deemed to have shown the 'Queensland spirit'.
"Josh brought an enormous amount of passion and energy to camp," Bennett said.
"The restrictions while in the (COVID-19) bubble were tough at times and Josh was always there to lift everyone around him."
Kerr said Bennett had been letting him know in no uncertain terms this pre-season when he hadn't been up to scratch.
"He puts you on show a bit in front of the boys. I love it," Kerr said.
"Wayne has had a few goes at me but I am not one to go into my shell about it.
"When you know it is Wayne Bennett coming at you to lift your game and attitude, you know it is coming from a good place.
"I respond to it and it has helped get the best out of me this pre-season."
As for whether he will be in the team for round one against North Queensland on March 10, Kerr pleaded for someone to ask his coach.
"Wayne doesn't give away too much," he grinned.
"I would love to be part of that round one team at Suncorp against the Cowboys.
"You can't get any better than that. It's up to Wayne I guess. Go get some inside goss from him please and let me know."
