Kerr: ‘It would be a pretty special moment’

Published 2:30pm 29 February 2024

The boy from Redcliffe is itching to run out for the Dolphins in round one this year after watching last season’s historic first game from afar.

He says he’s doing all he can to convince Super Coach Wayne Bennett he deserves a spot on the team to face the Cowboys on March 10.

“I would love to be a part of that round one team, kicking off the season at home, against the Cowboys at Suncorp. You can’t get any better than that,” Kerr said after training today.

See photos from training at the end of this story

“It would be a pretty special moment for me and my family if I got to run out for round one. It’s up to Wayne, I guess.”

What that round one team will look like is still anyone’s guess with tight competition for positions and more depth to work with this season.

Kerr says Bennett gave the squad a sharp reminder of the standards he expects during today’s session after last weekend’s Pre-Season Challenge loss to the Warriors.

“He’s awesome with bringing the standards up at training and he’s always harping on about it. He was probably giving us more of a spray out there today. You understand why he’s the Super Coach,” Kerr says.

“He sets the standards high and puts people on show if you haven’t been doing that. The people who have been keeping those standards high… he lets them know in front of the group as well.

“That’s why he’s the way he is and why he gets the best out of players because he knows how to connect with all the boys and what to say at the right times.

“I think in the last week and half we’ve let standards slip and he’s there to remind us.”

Kerr says he responds well to being on the receiving end of a Wayne Bennett spray, because he knows it will make him a better player.

“I like it. I respond to it well. It’s helped get the best out of me this preseason. This is the best preseason I’ve done. It’s just having someone like that who drives those standards with you,” he says.

“He’s come in the first day and let us know … put us on blast straight away because you know … I don’t know what he’s doing in the future but I think obviously this might be his last season here.

“All the boys have had a bit of a talking point … he wants to go out on a high. Every single day, he’s been coming in and keeping those standards high.”

Man on a mission

Kerr, 28, says he’s been working hard since arriving at the Dolphins from the Dragons in June, losing 10kg and improving his fitness.

“This is where I grew up. I just bought a house literally two streets over. I love the area. I’ve always wanted to play here,” he says.

“Last year was a bit devastating watching from afar, round one, because this is my home. I wanted to be here and I remember watching, so jealous and envious of the boys who got to run out for round one.

“My mentality was to get here and be someone who’s up on that board when you walk in the clubhouse.”

Having the opportunity to play with and learn from veteran forward Jesse Bromwich, a player he idolised as a younger player, has also been special.

“I want to learn as much as I can off him. He’s been awesome so far. I want to create my own game as well. I just want to model whatever I can off him and add my own little spice to it,” Kerr says.

He hopes he can perform well enough to earn Jesse Bromwich’s jersey when he’s ready to hang up the boots.

“My dream is to be the (number) 8 here and the captain. If I fall short, then hopefully I might be in the 17.

“That obviously takes hard work but I feel like with the players that we’ve got here and the staff and with Wayne as your coach … he does get the best out of you.

“All I know is I’m putting my best foot forward at the moment and I think things will take care of themselves.”