In another life, Cody Walker would be starring for Brisbane on Thursday.
Twice supercoach Wayne Bennett had a crack at Walker in his rookie season three years ago, and the second time he almost signed on the dotted line.
But it was the difficulties in uprooting his young family - as well as an improved offer from the Rabbitohs - that ultimately convinced him to stay at Redfern.
"My son was starting kindergarten and he's not the most outgoing person," Walker recalls of his decision to turn his back on Bennett in 2016.
"We didn't want him in a position where he was uncomfortable going to school by himself. He goes to a school now with all of his mates he plays footy with.
"And Souths came back with another offer to keep me at the club for another year. Being a 26-year-old, that was huge in me and my family's life, that extra year."
Three years on and Bennett is finally coaching his man.
While plenty has been made about Bennett's influence on halfback Adam Reynolds so far this season, Walker is also arguably in career-best form.
The Rabbitohs five-eighth scored a try and set up two others in Friday's win over Penrith, boosting his outside chances of NSW State of Origin selection.
His seven tries so far this year is equal most with Broncos winger Corey Oates, creating just another subplot to Thursday's grudge match between the clubs.
Walker said that while he enjoyed his time under former mentor Anthony Seibold, who has since joined Brisbane, he is relishing life under Bennett.
"Wayne's been unreal for our group, but that's not to say that I didn't enjoy my time under 'Ceebs'," Walker said.
"They're pretty different coaches in the way they like to approach games. I enjoy both coaches, and I feel like I've played pretty good footy under both coaches."
The 29-year-old admitted the Rabbitohs' attack seized up at the business end last year, when they were knocked out by eventual premiers the Sydney Roosters.
Through seven games so far this year, the Rabbitohs' 164 points scored is second only to the defending premiers.
"I'm just always looking to improve my game, (and) I've found a way to mix our game up a little with me, 'Reyno' and Alex Johnson out the back there," he said.
"At the back end of last year we were struggling to break teams down, we played our worst footy in the last two games, against St George and Roosters.
"It's just finding that little edge to break teams down. We've been doing it patches, but we're always looking to nut out an 80-minute performance."
