After a breakthrough season this year, Jarrad Kennedy is focused on increasing his muscle mass to have even more impact on the field in 2015.
"It was a great year for me in 2014," Kennedy said confidently.
"In saying that though, I want to have a big pre-season and improve on the things that I need to so that I can have an even bigger and better season in 2015.
"The NRL is the best competition in the world and it's tough to break into, I mean I was on the edge of selection for about four or five years before playing over 20 games last season so you can't afford to slack off.
"One of the things for me moving into next year is that I want to put a big of weight on to have more impact when I play, so I had a pretty quiet off-season and just tried to concentrate on putting on a few more kilos in the gym."
Kennedy fluctuated between the starting back-row and the interchange bench in 2014 and one of his aims in 2015 is to cement a starting role with the side.
He does however concede that it will be a tough assignment given the improvement in back-row depth at the club.
"After playing so many games last season one of the biggest things for me next year is aiming to be a starting player," the 25 year old said.
"It's going to be a tough challenge though because we've got a lot more depth in the back-row now with a few signings and some of our younger players pushing through. That's a good thing though because the competition for spots will keep everybody on their toes. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
The workaholic back-rower also has an extra spring in his step this pre-season after being reunited with his younger brother Rhys after the 20 year old prop signed with the club for the next two seasons from the Melbourne Storm.
"It's great to have Rhys here. We've moved in with each other and car pool to training every day.
"He's actually not too bad to live with for a young fella. He helps out around the house quite a bit and he's actually pretty good in the kitchen too!
"I'd been hoping that he'd get signed to the Raiders ever since he left home for Melbourne three years ago. It would be great to play with each other one day in the NRL; an absolutel dream."
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