Brackenhofer has moved to the Border after playing lower grades for Penrith.

”I wanted a sea change,” he said.

“I’d just been used to being in the (NRL) system, it’s so competitive, and I just lost a bit of love for the game.

“I played with Dave (Cowhan) at Penrith and he was talking to me about coming out to the country, and how the Thunder had a good culture.”

Cowhan has been one of Group Nine’s best players since joining the Border outfit last year, winning the best and fairest despite missing a third of the season.

“Jarrod’s probably what we were looking for last season,” Cowhan said.

“He’s a bit of everything, he’ll provide a lot of direction at halfback, but he’s also been playing hooker at Mounties, so his running game has improved as well.”

Remarkably, Brackenhofer, 22, had been with Penrith for around a decade, rising through the game’s most powerful junior nursery.

He played alongside some of the game’s rising stars, including NSW State of Origin contender Bryce Cartwright.

Brackenhofer divided his time between the NRL’s reserve grade, the NSW Cup, and the next level down, the Ron Massey Cup, last season.