Kennedy, who grew up in Tuross Head, has recently signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs as he searches for the elusive NRL debut.

The 24-year-old originally moved to Melbourne to take up a contract with the Storm’s under 20s squad when he was 17.

He played in Melbourne for three years before a move to the Canberra Raiders to join up with brother Jarrad in 2014.

While Jarrad played 49 games of NRL for the Raiders, Rhys never managed to crack the first-grade side, playing the majority of his football in the NSW Cup.

Rhys then spent some time at the Dragons, before being picked up by the Rabbitohs at the end of 2018.

“Some people have been lucky to stay at the same club, but sometimes that’s what you’ve got to do (move around),” Kennedy said. “It’s been tough having to move to different places, but it’s shaped who I am as a person, so I don’t regret it at all.”

Kennedy says the influence and work ethic of older brother Jarrad has kept him going through the tough parts of his career.

“I try not to give up,” he said. “It’s been tough not knowing where you’re going to be the following year, and there’s very little job security, but I want to play in the NRL.

“When I first moved to Canberra, Jarrad was in the Raiders squad with me. He was already in the squad when I was younger, and it’s had a big influence on what I wanted to do.

“Jarrad always had a huge work rate, so he’s very inspiring.”

Rhys is part of the Rabbitohs “top 30”, meaning he’s past the first step on his goal to playing NRL.

“I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing, and working really hard on my game,” he said. “That’ll give me my best opportunity to play.

“My work ethic is all I can control at the end of the day. If I am given the opportunity this season, I’ve got to make the most of it.

“Once you’re at the level of a professional system, everyone has the talent to play first grade, it just comes down to how much you want it.”

If, and when, Rhys gets the call to play in the NRL, he’ll have to settle in to the job of role model for young kids.

“I remember Mick Weyman, and the clinics he used to do when he was with the Dragons,” Kennedy said. “I also remember the Dragons coming down to our school a few times, and it was huge for the region.

“I know how much of an influence players can have on a young kid. Even though I haven’t played NRL yet, there are still plenty of kids who are stoked to throw the ball around with me.”

Kennedy knows there’s still a lot of work to do if he wants to play in the NRL, but he has the support in place to achieve that goal.

“It’ll mean the world to me,” he said. “This is what I’ve been doing since I moved away in year 11, and it’s been a long slog.

“I’ll have my family there as well, and they’ll be proud. It’s still early at the moment, but a lot can happen.

“I know what I need to do, and I appreciate any support I can get from back home.”