Any NRL coach will tell you the importance of building combinations and the ties binding South Sydney's generation next stretch back most of their young lives.
The Rabbitohs received a giant boost on Tuesday when they re-signed star winger Alex Johnston and emerging hooker Cameron McInnes until the end of the 2017 season.
While everyone at the Rabbitohs' Redfern headquarters had a spring in their step following the duo putting pen to paper, there was no one happier than centre Dylan Walker.
Johnston, McInnes and Walker have been playing together since they were 13, when they made a Rabbitohs junior development side together, a team that also featured winger Aaron Gray, who made his Souths debut a fortnight ago.
Walker said he had Johnston pegged as something special the first time he laid eyes on him when they were 10.
He also lived down the road from McInnes when they were growing up in Botany.
"With those two re-signing, it's good for the fans and good for the members and good for the club," Walker said on Wednesday.
"And especially good for myself, having the boys around that I know really well. I've known Aaron since I was six-years-old, he's one of my best mates and it's enjoyable to have that feeling in the club."
Johnston, 20, has played 27 games for the Rabbitohs and made his Test debut in the Kangaroos' loss to New Zealand last month.
While McInnes, 21, has been ear-marked to wear the Rabbitohs No.9 jersey next year following the shock departure of New Zealand international Issac Luke to the Warriors from next season.
McInnes had been rumoured to be in negotiation with St George Illawarra however the Rabbitohs moved quickly to secure his signature following Luke's signing with the Warriors.
He started ahead of Luke against the Dragons on Monday night and has been named at hooker for the side's clash with Melbourne.
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