Kennedy has been with the Raiders since he was a junior and was an instrumental part of the club’s inaugural NYC premiership winning team, where he scored the match winning try in the 2008 grand final.

Kennedy made his National Rugby League (NRL) debut in 2012 and has 30 donned the Raiders’ green 30 times in career including four stars this season.

Kennedy said he couldn’t be happier with the chance to remain in Canberra and said his progression into the NRL squad was a testament to the club’s junior development program.

“I’m very excited to re-sign with the club for a further two years,” Kennedy said.

“I see the Raiders as not just a football club but as a part of my family now. “Canberra is my home and I’m over the moon to be here for another two years, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“I’ve come up through the juniors here and it’s great to see that a lot of the players that I played with in the juniors are still playing with me now and it feels like they’re my brothers now.”

Kennedy has shown his versatility over the first few weeks of the season playing in the centres and second row.

He said he was comfortable playing wherever the coach, Ricky Stuart, needed him.

“Second row is my preferred position but after Ricky tried me out in the centres it’s definitely something that I can put on my resume,” he said.

“I love being a forward but I’m happy to help the team out in the centres if need be.”

Raiders CEO Don Furner said it was “fantastic news” for the Raiders to secure another player who was developed by the club and said he looked forward to more improvement from Kennedy over the next two seasons.

“Jarrad is a very hardworking and dedicated member of our squad who has proven his commitment and application by becoming a regular member of our NRL team,” Furner said.

“Its players like Jarrad who will continue to make us lobby the NRL for urgent salary cap concessions on the development of players by our club.”