Josh Kerr, born to be a Dolphin

(File photo from previous training session)

Part of Josh Kerr’s Quandamooka totem is a dolphin, so it was perhaps destiny that the Redcliffe Dolphins’ junior would return to the club of the same name.

He’s happy to be back home and spoke to the media after training today ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Titans.

Kerr grew up in Narangba but spent most of his childhood in Redcliffe and played for the Redcliffe Dolphins from 10 years of age through to under-20s.

He was part of the Melbourne Storm National Youth Competition team and was named in the Queensland Under-20s team in 2016.

Kerr was forced to head to Sydney to realise his NRL aspirations, joining the Dragons ahead of the 2017 season and making his NRL debut in 2019.

The 27-year-old had initially signed to play for the Dolphins from 2024, but a mid-season switch resulted in him debuting for the Phins late last month.

“I’ve been absolutely loving it. It’s a dream come true. I grew up down the road. It all happened pretty quick … I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I got a phone call Saturday night and was on a place Sunday morning,” Kerr says.

“I kinda just jumped straight into it. I didn’t really take time to process what had happened but I couldn’t be happier with what’s going on … back home for me makes it so much easier.”

He’s also thrilled to reunite with Wayne Bennett after training under him during the 2020 State of Origin camp.

“Over the course of that little camp I grew pretty good relationship with Wayne. I told him in the camp, I said: ‘Redcliffe’s got to be a team in there. They’re just too good, they’ve got great grassroots football here, they do a lot for their community … how could you not pick Redcliffe?’,” Kerr recalls.

“When they got announced (as the 17^th team), I called him up straight away and said, ‘just find a way to get me here’. I’m lucky that all came to fruition.”

Ready to take on Titans

Kerr's focus this week is firmly on the Gold Coast Titans – the second local derby is as many weeks for the Dolphins.

“I’m looking forward to it. Last weekend was a bit of a disappointment in terms of the scoreboard, but our effort has definitely grown over the past few weeks,” he says.

“It was good to see our effort was there, but our execution was a little bit off.

“In my vision for the club, I want to be the most dominant Queensland team in the state. Just looking forward to hopefully building on that effort and execution. If we get that right, we win nine out of 10 games.”

In good news ahead of the Round 19 clash, Jeremy Marshall-King will be named in the Dolphins’ side and is a big chance of playing after battling a shoulder injury and appearing to aggravate it against the Broncos.

Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace will also be available after serving their suspensions.

Felise Kaufusi has been ruled out after suffering a concussion last weekend.