Kenny Harris has spent the last 12 months ticking off some significant milestones on the pathway to a professional rugby career.
Queensland Reds Development contract. Queensland Premier Rugby first-grade debut. Australian Under 20’s jersey.
Now the lock has the chance to cap his stellar season in the ultimate way – steering the Bull Sharks Colts 1 side to a maiden premiership.
After a composed victory over Brothers in the major semi-final, Harris and his teammates have the week off before facing the winners of this weekend’s preliminary final.
For Harris, it’s unfamiliar territory.
“I've been in Colts for three years now and in the last two years we haven't made the grand final,” Harris said.
“So it’s a bit of a new experience.
“We're currently focusing on ourselves because we don't know who we're playing yet.
“But after that’s decided this weekend, we'll preview who we’re playing and come up with a game plan on how to attack them at Ballymore.”
Harris’ rise has been anything but conventional.
Born and raised on the Gold Coast, he didn’t come through the traditional private schoolboys rugby pathway, instead playing club rugby at the Gold Coast Eagles before making his way into Bond’s Colts 2 side.
But persistence eventually opened doors.
“You’ve got to work hard to give yourself the opportunities,” Harris said.
“I was playing Colts 2 at Bond for a few years before I eventually got my chance in Colts 1.
“From there, things just sort of flowed…I got the opportunity with the Reds and then the Aussies this year.
“Everyone at Bond has played a massive part of my journey to where I am now - it’s a huge credit to the club and coaching staff.“
Touring South Africa in Australia’s under 20 Junior World Cup squad provided a host of lessons Harris has been eager to implement closer to home.
“Being away and having the opportunity to play for your country is pretty special,” Harris said.
“It’s new plays and new coaching so it's a bit of a challenge, but you just want to meet it head on and take every opportunity.
“With the programs I've been a part of in the last 12 months, there's a lot of knowledge that I've developed.
“I think it's an obligation when you go back to under 20s club level to do your best to lead around the field and help out all the boys at best you can.”
Harris was provided the ultimate challenge when he received a mid-season call-up to the Bull Sharks Premier Men’s side.
He was suddenly squaring up against seasoned professionals.
“The biggest change is the step up in physicality and how big they are – you’re playing against men," Harris said.
“You’re up against guys who have five, sometimes ten years of physical development on you, but it's a great challenge.
“Increasing my strength program has been a big thing throughout the last year and was definitely needed for me to compete at premier level.
“I was a little bit undersized last year and I worked hard to put on size – that work is still continuing.”
Harris’ season had one more twist in the tail.
After Bond’s Premier men fell agonisingly short of finals and the chance to defend their premiership, there were emotional scenes after the siren for those finishing their campaigns.
But Harris knew his season still had another chapter to write.
The loss opened the door for Harris to come back into the Colts side to bolster their push for a debut premiership.
“It was disappointing to see the Premier Men not make it and I’d loved to have been part of that finals setup,” Harris said.
“But the Colts boys had been dominating all season so in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to have some finals footy.
“Colts have had some disappointing ends to the season in the last few years so to be in the grand final this year is really exciting.
“It’s an amazing opportunity.”
The QPR Colts 1 grand final kicks off at Ballymore Stadium at 11am on Sunday August 30.