Souths' superstars Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell have expressed their pride at remaining at "home", signing multi-year contract extensions with the club.
On Wednesday the club announced the Indigenous All Stars and NSW Origin representatives will stay at Redfern until at least the end of 2025 and 2027 respectively.
The pair have shared similarities, albeit different trajectories, in their careers since debuting in the same game in round one in 2016 - Mitchell at the time running out with cross-town rivals the Sydney Roosters.
Mitchell (25) has established himself as one of the NRL's most effective across his 144-game career, 48 with the Rabbitohs, while Walker (32) has also carved out an impressive resume after 169 appearances in the club's halves across a period of success.
The older of the pair looks set to end his career as a one-club player after having worked to get his start at the age of 26.
Walker reflected on he and Mitchell's journey to the top at a press conference on Wednesday, hopeful Bunnies can taste their first piece of premiership success since 2014 after three-straight preliminary final berths before he hangs up the boots.
Mitchell added to his trophy cabinet early with the Roosters.
"Two black kids from country areas, Taree ( Mitchell) and Casino, who would have thought we'd be in this position today," Walker said.
"We get along together. I respected him from afar when he was at the Roosters, what he was able to achieve at 18-19 (years old) to win two premierships before 22. Pretty impressive stuff.
"To see him come across and do what he's done at our club and improve my game is pretty special and I'm glad we've both committed to the club for a number of years and as he said, we both want to win premierships.
"That's what we're aiming to do."
Both Walker and Mitchell thanked their families and the club for playing a role as support figures in their lives.
Walker spoke of having no job, no car, no lisence and "nothing" at 21 before turning his life around and becoming an integral part of the team and wider compeition.
Mitchell shared similar sentiment despite a more glamourous rise.
"I'm very grateful for everyone that's player a part in my career and In my journey. I came down as a 15-year-old boy and achieved something I didn't think, and I don't think a lot of people wanted me to achieve as well," Michell said.
"I can't thank (enough) the people in my life that gave me a house to live in when I came to Sydney.
I had nothing at the start of it but I've got it all now. The future's bright and I can't wait.
"I've set some goals in place for what I want to achieve and be grateful and be happy and be proud of myself by the time I'm 30.
"Our families are definitely one thing that motivates a lot of this."
