Kevin Walters has handed son Billy Brisbane's keys, confident he will dispel any doubters as the Broncos begin the Adam Reynolds era without Adam Reynolds.
Walters will wear the No.6 in his club debut while Albert Kelly has been named halfback after a poorly timed COVID-19 infection ruled Reynolds out of the clash with his old South Sydney club.
Former Rabbitohs captain Reynolds was scratched after struggling in a Wednesday fitness test that followed a home quarantine period.
It denied the season opener a tantalising storyline but afforded coach Walters the opportunity to pick both Kelly and his son, who he believes can make a difference at Red Hill.
"I'm extremely proud with my Dad's hat on; whether it's NRL or any level it makes you feel warm and proud and I'm no different," Walters said.
"It's a great opportunity for Bill, I know he'll play the football he's capable of and it'll be great for the team."
The last NRL game played at Suncorp Stadium finished with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary handing son and halfback Nathan the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the grand final.
Walters hadn't yet heard any cries from critics of nepotism but said there was an easy way to knock the inevitable chatter on its head.
"We've seen some great exponents of this in the past 20 years in the NRL and I've got every confidence that this will be a great combination and stage one is tomorrow night," he said.
"The only way to silence all the doubters is for Billy to go out and play the way he can play.
"But it's not about what other people think ... there's a famous line from Wayne Bennett; 'if you start listening to the punters you'll become one sitting with them'."
Penrith recruit Kurt Capewell will captain in his club debut while forward Ryan James and Tyrone Roberts, who will serve as a backline utility off the bench, will make it four new faces for Brisbane, boasting 422 NRL games of experience.
The Rabbitohs will be led by new coach Jason Demetriou, an assistant under Bennett at Brisbane who followed him to the Rabbitohs when overlooked for the top job at Red Hill.
Lachlan Ilias will fill the void left by Reynolds while Latrell Mitchell remains suspended and Cameron Murray will lead the side.
There are high hopes Demetriou can keep the Rabbitohs in the premiership conversation, while the pressure is on Walters to drag Brisbane back into the finals after two years wallowing in historic lows.
"There's no real expectation from us, just to improve and get better," Walters countered.
"We did that last year and I believe we're going to improve more this year. That's the expectation for me."
