Champion selflessly left the Rabbitohs five years ago to give the club the salary cap room to sign his cousin, Greg Inglis. While his own career has stagnated since, history will show Inglis' signing was one of the most important in Souths' history, culminating in the Queensland and Australian fullback leading the Bunnies to grand final glory this year.

"I can look back on it and say I played my small part to achieve what they wanted to achieve," Champion said.

"It was something I would do over again. At the time, I knew it was the best thing for the club. I wanted to see that club succeed, I grew up as a Souths junior. It gave me the opportunity to play alongside some great players in Melbourne and be coached by one of the best coaches. It was a win for both situations."

Champion has made another significant shift this offseason. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal with Parramatta at a time he would likely have come into contention for a first-grade spot at his beloved Rabbitohs. With incumbent Souths centre Kirisome Auva'a suspended indefinitely and uncertainty over the future of Lote Tuqiri, 2015 would have been an opportunity for Champion to break back into the three-quarter after injuries sidelined him for most of this year.

But, again, there are no regrets.

"Souths have been a big part of my life but my new career starts here," said Champion, who will vie for a centre spot vacated by Will Hopoate's shift to fullback..

The chance to reunite with former South Sydney teammate Chris Sandow was a motivation to switch to the blue and golds.

"That was one of the big reasons I came out here," he said.

"I saw the style of football Parramatta played last year - promoting the ball, encouraging skill and allowing players to play. That was something I wanted to be a part of. Chris took a big step last year and I think he's going to take another step this year.

"It's all pointing towards him having a big season this year. It's exciting because I don't think he received the credit he deserved last year, just how much he contributed to this team."

After initially struggling to justify his big-money move from South Sydney, Sandow enjoyed his most successful year at Parramatta. The enigmatic halfback was named the Ken Thornett medallist as the club's best and fairest and has been a standout in the opening month of preseason.

"He's four or five kilos lighter than last year and got trainer of the week three weeks in a row," said halves partner Corey Norman.

"He's massive for us, he brings that backyard footy, you never know what he's going to do. It suits us to a T, we like to attack but in saying that he knows when to play footy and when to control the game.

"He looks more hungry than ever and that's a great sign for him.

"It's good to see Chrissy got back on track and had a good year. He's come back in great shape, he reckons the best shape for a long while."