Shaun Kenny-Dowall was just weeks away from signing with Penrith before the 16-year-old reneged to sign with the Roosters at the 11th hour over a decade ago.
Kenny-Dowall's endeavours when he first moved to Australia have been well-documented and it's something the now 28-year-old does not regret considering the legacy he's carved out for himself at the Roosters since.
"I went and looked at all of Penrith's facilities and I think they were organising for me to go to St Doms so I was probably about one or two weeks from moving out there," Kenny-Dowall told NRL.com.
"But then I was offered a deal from the Roosters and it was special for me to remain in the area. It's where my family lived and it's where I had made a home so to be still here now, that decision back then was probably a big life-changing event.
"You definitely don't look back and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the Roosters and hopefully I'll play a few more games here to come."
The Roosters will play the Panthers on Monday night and Kenny-Dowall agreed that Penrith's current position on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder doesn't represent their efforts in 2016.
Penrith have only won twice this season but could easily be undefeated considering three of their four losses have been by a converted try or less.
"They're an exciting team. They love throwing the footy around which is a credit to their great outside backs and young playmakers. They have had a few close games and it's probably going to be a really close game I'd say," Kenny-Dowall said.
"They have come close against some really good teams. Their performances have been good but they haven't been getting the wins either so it's going to be a good challenge for us."
Unlike their upcoming opponents, the Roosters are coming off a high after winning their first game of the year against the Rabbitohs last Friday night.
Kenny-Dowall wasn't prepared to make any outlandish statements of what it might mean for the Roosters fortunes moving forward but was pleased by the maiden victory.
"It's done the boys confidence the world of the good and to get the monkey off the back is pretty special. 0-5 was a tough position to be in and to turn it around against a quality opposition in South Sydney was great," Kenny-Dowall said.
"There's still a lot of work to be done but it's a great step in the right direction to get the first win. We're willing now to go after and create another win.
"I think we're finally starting to gel as a team and with that great performance we're looking to build some momentum and get more wins on the board."
This article originally featured on NRL.COM
