Three years ago, Toowoomba's Matt Faessler was preparing to try his luck in the Shute Shield before Queensland threw the Brothers' battler an injury cover lifeline.
Now a first-choice hooker at both Super and Test level, Faessler has repaid the faith by re-signing with the Reds and Wallabies through Australia's home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
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"Queensland's home for me. I grew up supporting the team (and) was born and raised here so for me it was a pretty straightforward decision to stay in Queensland," Faessler told reporters on Thursday.
"Sam (Cordingley), Les (Kiss) and the staff at the Reds are really supportive and some of my closest mates I've made playing through Brothers and playing at the Reds so really stoked to be staying here for another two years and look forward to what we're building."
"There's a couple of huge events that'll be awesome for Australian rugby, namely the Lions Series and the World Cup in 2027. The contract I've signed means I'm available for those games and I'd love to be involved potentially."
Though Faessler, 26, was reluctant to divulge any overseas offers he may have received ("I'll let that one through to the keeper"), his extension adds another piece to the Wallabies' puzzle with fellow Reds Harry Wilson and Lukhan Salakai-Loto and ACT's Nick Frost among the recent re-signings.
All eyes are now fixed on Faessler's stablemate Fraser McReight, who is yet to extend with Australian rugby beyond 2025.
McReight, 26, told reporters earlier this year "there's plenty of opportunities everywhere you want to look" and the talented flanker has attracted significant interest from overseas clubs.
"We'll see what Fraser's decision is over the next couple of days … but yeah, it'd be awesome to see him stay," Faessler said.
"We're building a nice crew that's staying together and that's played a lot of games together here in Queensland so hoping to transfer that onto the field these next few weeks and into next weekend."
