He knows his game time might be limited and there were offers from England where he'd probably play more.
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But the chance to help the Canberra Raiders bring the NRL premiership home that meant more to Sam Williams.
Williams has re-signed for another two years, keeping him in the capital until the end of 2021.
The 28-year-old knocked back approaches from English Super League clubs, including Huddersfield, to remain in Canberra.
He'll look to add to his 94 NRL games, but will have plenty of competition from the Raiders' other playmakers - incoming England international George Williams, Clive Churchill Medallist Jack Wighton and Aidan Sezer.
While Sezer's contracted to Canberra for 2020, it's believed he'll take up a three-year deal to join Huddersfield, but they need to move a player on before he can sign.
Sezer's also been linked to a return to the Canterbury Bulldogs, where he played his junior football, to help cover the loss of Kieran Foran (shoulder).
Williams played a role in the Raiders' 2016 charge to the preliminary final, but then joined Wakefield the next season.
He played 22 Super League games and could've returned to an English club for a similar role in 2020.
But Williams wanted to be around to help the Green Machine finish the job after helping them make this year's grand final.
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"The biggest thing is just trying to be part of a squad that's got real potential to bring the trophy home next year," he said.
"I'm very lucky to have a good relationship with all the coaches and the players within the club.
"I go into training and enjoy what I do and enjoy going in with the people that we've got in the club.
"From that side of things it was a no brainer. I guess you weigh up how much game time you're going to get and if you're comfortable doing that.
"I'm pretty happy with where I am with the club and the direction the club's going. To be part of that's too hard to turn down."
Williams' wedding and honeymoon with his wife Sarah delayed the signing of his new contract.
The fact they had the chance to remain in Canberra also played a role.
"This will take me til I'm 30 and getting married to Sarah last month, this is home to her as well and she's got a lot of family and friends around the area," Williams said.
"These are things you probably don't take into consideration when you're 21 years of age, but what we do as a couple going forward you start to think about."
While some of his teammates start pre-season training on Wednesday, Williams doesn't return until December 4.
He was excited at the prospect of Melbourne Storm young gun Curtis Scott joining the Green Machine.
Scott met with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and while he has two years remaining on his contract with the Storm they've given him permission to talk to other clubs.
Williams pointed to the premiership experience Scott would bring.
"He's obviously a quality player. He'd be a great addition to our squad," he said.
"He's a proven top-class player. We've obviously lost [Jordan Rapana] from the outside backs so to add someone like Curtis would be great for us.
"Bring some of his experience - he's played in some big games -so if we could get him it would be great."