South Sydney forward Jai Arrow says the 2023 side has the talent to win a premiership as he explains why he never wants to leave.
Arrow was outstanding in the 36-14 win at the Dolphins where he returned from a six-week absence due to a hamstring injury and chalked up 181 metres from 16 runs to win rave reviews from skipper Cameron Murray.
Arrow has won State of Origin series with the Queensland Maroons but an NRL title eludes him.
"That's a long way away ... but I think we've got the talent here and the strike in the the football side to do that," Arrow said.
"It's just a matter of constantly playing good footy, and sticking to the way we play and focus on getting in that top four
"I think it was a good defensive win."
The 27-year-old, signed at Souths until the end of 2024, is a Queenslander and a former Bronco and Titan. He has embraced the Rabbitohs' ethos and history since joining the club in 2021.
"I love this club. I would love this to be the club that I stay at for the rest of my career," Arrow said.
Arrow and his teammates said goodbye this week to spiritual home Redfern Oval, where the Rabbitohs played or trained since 1948, as they move to flash new digs in Maroubra ahead of Thursday night's showdown with arch enemies Penrith.
The Rabbitohs recently bade farewell to the late and great club legend John Sattler with dignity and pride, and in a manner that epitomised all that is good in rugby league.
As Arrow spoke after the win over the Dolphins, behind him in the Rabbitohs sheds was 2014 premiership winning hero Sam Burgess who played through a broken cheekbone in the decider, as Sattler had done with a broken jaw in the 1970 grand final.
"Each time I get to put on this jersey, I'm very grateful of the proud history," Arrow said.
"We leave the legacy at Redfern now. We're going to Heffron Park (in Maroubra) - the multi-million dollar (training) facility - and it was great we could get a win to leave Redfern on good terms and go into a nice new facility leading into the match with Penrith.
"There has been a big focus on history, and on leaving our mark and thinking about the people behind us that have left their mark as well.
"I was just happy to get out there and finish a game and knock out 60-plus minutes so that's nice and exciting for me."
Skipper Murray is just happy to have Arrow back.
"I love playing with Jai," Murray said,
"His effort areas are so good and he works so hard for his teammates and puts his body on the line. He is just one of those players you want to run out with."
