New South Sydney Rabbitohs recruit Matt McIlwrick has seamlessly slotted into life at Redfern after joining from the Wests Tigers just over a week ago.
Moving from one Club to another can always be a daunting task for any player but for McIlwrick the transition has been smooth.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind these last couple of weeks going from the Tigers from one day to the Rabbitohs the next," McIlwrick said on the Line Up Reaction Show.
"But the boys have been very welcoming and it's felt like I've slotted straight in and to be a part of a prestigious Club like this is amazing and especially the way the boys are going this year it's very exciting.
While it has been a change for the McIlwrick has been big, the dummy-half has had a couple of familiar faces around camp helping him settle in.
Born and raised in Christchurch New Zealand, McIlwrick moved to Canberra when he was 16 years old and first moved in with current Rabbitohs assistant coach Dave Furner, an experience which McIlwirck says he's still recovering from.
"I was 16 years old and I moved in with Dave Furner the assistant coach for two years, I'm still scarred from that," McIlwrich joked.
The other familiar face around camp for McIlwrick is Rabbitohs forward Mark Nicholls, who he also lived with during his time down in the nation's capital, and according to McIlwrick, it wasn't much of an improvement from his previous living arrangements.
"What made things worse was I ended up living with 'Marky Nicholls' over here for a few years, so just when I thought I got away from them I'm back playing footy with them so I can't win."
Hitting the paddock for his first few training sessions, McIlwrick is excited to get stuck in and help play his part in what has been an extremely good season for the Red and Green.
"From the outside looking in Souths have always been a tough Club to play against and pretty ruthless but coming here the boys have opened up and welcomed me like I've been here all year," McIlwrick explained.
"It has made me feel really at home and I can't wait to rip in and see what the boys can achieve this year.
