Bailey Simonsson knew from his first chat with Parramatta coach Brad Arthur that he wanted to join the NRL club.
After three seasons and 45 first-grade games for Canberra, Simonsson has relished his return to Sydney and is gunning to start on the wing in round one.
The 23-year-old could get a chance to impress in Sunday's trial against St George Illawarra at CommBank Stadium.
The opportunity to slot into a "young, really strong" squad and work under Arthur helped convince Simonsson to make the difficult decision to leave many good mates at the Raiders.
"That's football and sometimes you've got to go where the opportunities take you," he said.
Simonsson's off-field life has also benefited from the move.
He is living with his girlfriend in Coogee having managed a long-distance relationship for almost three years.
On the training paddock, he is building a combination with promising 19-year-old centre Will Penisini, though he doesn't have a preference for who he plays alongside.
"He's a real strong ball-carrier and quite a solid body," Simonsson said of Penisini, who played five NRL matches in 2021, including two finals.
"He's going to have a really good season if he can stay injury-free... I think he's going to do a lot of damage."
With star Eels winger Maika Sivo sidelined as he continues his recovery from an ACL rupture and Blake Ferguson having departed the club, Simonsson is determined to cement his place in the starting side.
Injuries have plagued the New Zealand 9s representative but he's in top condition heading into the 2022 NRL campaign.
"It's probably my first (full) pre-season I've had since my first pre-season," Simonsson said.
"It definitely helps. My strength's feeling good, speed feels good.
"Body in general has no injuries, touch wood.
"Brad and the staff here are really big on effort areas.
"I'll just simplify my game, it's probably when you play your best footy."
