Dean Britt has settled quickly into life in South Sydney after renewing some old friendships during his first pre-season with the Rabbitohs.
The 23-year-old forward joined Souths from Melbourne Storm midway through the 2017 season, and made his first appearance in Red and Green in Round 26, effectively making this his first summer with the Club.
Britt says that despite the first few weeks being filled with plenty of tough work, the experience has been made easier because of some familiar faces around Redfern.
Britt“It’s pretty enjoyable. It’s been tough for the past four weeks now, the body is starting to hurt but it has been enjoyable. We’ve got a few new guys here that I’ve actually played footy with over the last couple of years, so it’s good to see them as well,”
“A lot of old mates, like I said before are here. There are a few from Melbourne that I actually played a bit of NYC and Queensland Cup with, like Mark Nicholls, Billy Brittain, Richie Kennar and Jesse Arthars. Coming here from a similar system definitely helps us out at training, and hopefully it can transition on the field as well.”
Another previous relationship that Britt has is with head coach Anthony Seibold, who previously coached the rangy backrower during their time in Melbourne. Britt says that ‘Seibs’ has had more of an influence on him than just on the field, and believes their long association can help him further his career as a Rabbitoh.
“It’s been good. He was my under 20s coach there a few years ago, so I’ve known ‘Seibs’ for quite some time. He’s the one who actually got me back here in Sydney, so hopefully I can rip into preseason and I can get some more games under my belt."
The Britt name is a familiar one in league circles, with Dean’s father Darren, an out-and-out front rower, playing fifteen seasons in the top grade, as well as for Australia. While he has developed as a second rower, Dean says that he is unopposed to a shift to the middle after spending some time at prop for the North Sydney Bears.
“I don’t have a preference actually. I played a little bit up the middle last season but I’ve been training in the second row over the last few weeks so wherever I end up playing it doesn’t really bother me. As long as I can get a crack out there I’ll be happy."
