Raiders second-rower Jarrad Kennedy has penned a two-year contract extension, but admits he thought he was going to be on the outer with the addition of veteran forward Iosia Soliola.
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The switch of Kangaroos international Josh Papalii into the front row has opened the door for Kennedy to become a permanent part of the Raiders side heading into Sunday's clash with the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 26-year-old will play just his 30th NRL game, but has been a consistent fixture in the side since the appointment of coach Ricky Stuart at the start of last season.
The Tuross Heads junior is a late bloomer having been a part of the Raiders' premiership-winning under-20s side in 2008, but didn't make his first-grade debut until 2012.
In between, he relocated to Brisbane for a season with the Raiders' former Queensland Cup feeder club Souths Logan before honing his craft in the NSW Cup.
Kennedy played 20 games last season, but the recruitment of Soliola from St Helens in the Super League added competition for spots in the back row.
"With Sia come over I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I didn't know (Papalii) was going to move to the front row," Kennedy said.
"I wanted to stay here, I've been here since I was 17.
"It took a while for me to get there, but I look to see myself as someone who doesn't give up.
"I've got my younger brother here now which is great."
Having previously played alongside younger sibling Mitchell in the under-20s, Kennedy is now living with his other brother Rhys, who has joined the Raiders squad this season from the Melbourne Storm.
Jarrad Kennedy has signed with the Raiders until the end of 2017.
In contrast, recalled hooker Glen Buttriss is still looking for a new deal for next season.
He has the perfect opportunity to stake his worth after being called back into the side for the first time this year.
Buttriss comes on the bench in place of Country representative Josh McCrone, who had played 118 straight games going back to round 10, 2010.
Buttriss could have easily playing for the Roosters, and not against them, after being discussed as part of a loan deal to cover for injured hooker Jake Friend.
"I never really got into the full details, so it was something along those lines," Buttriss said.
"It only came across for a couple of days and I never really (considered it).
"I'm pretty excited for my opportunity this weekend."
Buttriss will go up against former Raiders teammate Matt McIlwrick, who was released from the final year of his deal to join the Roosters in the off-season.
"It should be good, I'm looking forward to coming up against him," Buttriss said.
"He's been doing really well up at the Roosters."
