Redcliffe-bred Josh Kerr admits he faces 'hard decision' over NRL future

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Josh Kerr

Emerging Dragons prop Josh Kerr admits a move home to play with The Dolphins has its appeal however he's determined to secure his future long-term with the Red V.

The Wayne Bennett-led Dolphins have struggled to land a bullseye in the NRL player market since being confirmed as the competition's 17th team back in October.

So far the new franchise have signed Felise Kaufusi (Storm) and Ray Stone (Eels) ahead of their inaugural 2023 season, yet missed out in attempts to poach the likes of Brandon Smith, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Christian Welch and Patrick Carrigan among others.

On the cusp of a State of Origin berth having earned selection in the Maroons' squad for the 2020 series, Redcliffe-bred Kerr has been touted as a potential Dolphins target. 

Kerr also has a known admirer in Bennett, who after leading Queensland to glory in that series presented the Dragons forward the Peter Jackson Memorial Award, given to the squad member who demonstrates the most 'Queensland spirit'.

The 25-year-old said he was "over the moon" when finding out The Dolphins would join the NRL and confessed he'd always imagined returning home to play.

However, Kerr feels he's found a home in Wollongong and says leaving that behind would be equally challenging.

"When I found out the news it was pretty emotional for all my friends and family back home. I was over the moon," the Indigenous All Stars representative said.

"Honestly, it's such a hard decision at the moment. 

"I would love to go back home and play but this is my sixth pre-season now (with the Dragons) and to me this has become home.

"At first I fought it because I was a young kid moving away from home and all my friends were back (in Redcliffe). I always had in the back of my head I always going to move back home but I have so many friends and family down here now it'd be hard to say goodbye."

Kerr has two years remaining on his current contract with the Dragons but admits he has been weighing up his future over the off-season.

Ultimately though, his preference would be to extend his stay long-term with the Dragons, where he sees a bright future under Anthony Griffin.

"I'll never say no to going back home to Redcliffe. You never know what could happen," added Kerr, who's racked up 47 appearances in the Red V.

"At the end of the day rugby league is a business and I'd love to stay here long-term. It's whatever the club wants to do.

"I'm contracted until the end of next year (2023) so I've still got a bit of time to think about it. I've just got to make sure, no matter what, I'm working as hard as I can to make sure we're winning games.

"This club has done a lot for me on and off the field so it's only right that I pay them back."

Kerr spent 13 of his 23 games for Griffin's side in 2021 playing on the right edge but the club's acquisition of Rabbitohs and Maroons star Jaydn Su'A is expected to see him shifted back into the middle of the field next season.

At the same time, the Dragons have bolstered their middle rotation by adding the likes of Francis Molo, Aaron Woods and George Burgess over the off-season, leaving Kerr and others to prove themselves worthy of a place in Griffin's starting 17 over the summer.

Kerr is craving the challenge and hopes to leverage his versatility to ensure he figures in the Dragons' side to face the Warriors in round one.

"I want to play at the end of the day too, and playing two positions and mastering my craft at both of them will help me get into that side but I think the boys (Griffin's) brought in it's going to be tough to fit into the side," he said.

"That's the first challenge I've got to get through and I'm really looking forward to it.

"My mentality has changed a lot. (Whether I'm playing) middle or edge I want to make sure I'm the best in the competition."

Kerr also believes a full pre-season, unlike last year's which was interrupted by his Origin commitments, has him geared for a stronger campaign in 2022.

"Last year I came back after Christmas and I probably wasn't quite there all year," he admitted.

"I trained really hard before pre-season with a few boys and coming into this one I've hit the ground running.

"There's still a long way to go but I'm happy with where I'm at."

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Ed Chisholm is a content producer for Sporting News Australia.