And who could argue with the young centre, who is officially a Titan again after two NRL seasons with Manly.

Kelly's family live a short drive south in Ballina and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is another new arrival at the club as head of performance and culture.

Konrad Hurrell's sudden move to England opened a door for the Gold Coast junior's return and he couldn't say no.

"I had a yarn to Des (Hasler)," Kelly reflected when asked how the situation unfolded with the returning Manly coach.

"We sat down, he showed me what he was going to change but I wanted to come home, I was being honest."

Kelly said the chance to see more of his family and establish himself at his local NRL club had fuelled the move.

Selected in the centres for Meninga's Prime Minister's XIII side that played in Papua New Guinea in October, Kelly now finds himself wearing Titans colours with him on the Gold Coast.

But despite being a standout for the Sea Eagles last season he won't waltz into Garth Brennan's first-round side.

"There's only two (centres) on the field and they've got Copes (Dale Copley), Brenko Lee and Peach (Tyrone Peachey)," he said.

Kelly said he had already struck up a friendship with fellow recruit Peachey, who opted against the extended off-season break he was entitled to, to begin his stint at the club this week.

Australian Associated Press