"Everyone knows my family," the Bulldogs veteran said.

Donnelly's uncle, Terry, captained Queensland and represented NSW Country in rugby league while another uncle, Greg, played for NSW Country.

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The 29-year-old is the second cousin of the late John "Dallas" Donnelly, a Western Suburbs great who also played for Australia and NSW.

Born and bred in Gunnedah, Donnelly left the only environment he had known at the end of the 2017 season and relocated to Newcastle.

However, he struggled to find a decent job and was back home the following year, when he told the Namoi Valley Independent that he would "assess everything at the end of the year and see what happens".

He decided to stay put - and now works as a mine operator and is planning his future.

"It was just the best idea for me to come home when I did, and I'm glad I did," the centre said.

"Because I've got this good job now. [I can] set myself up for the future, which is all I wanted to do."

On Saturday night at Scully Park, Donnelly - who has long been one of Group 4's premier outside backs - will line up for JT Fossey in the opening game of the inaugural Wests Entertainment Group 9s.

The Mitch Doring-captained side plays the Brenton Cochrane-captained Carey's Freight Lines in the first of four games that night.

"I can't wait," Donnelly said. "Honestly, I've been really missing it this year - not being able to play footy."

The WEG 9s format - which involved a player draft that will pit mate against mate - was "good" and "something different", Donnelly said.

He is "looking forward" to playing alongside teammates "you'll probably never get a chance to play with again".

Donnelly nominated Doring and Harlee Millgate as two teammates he was excited about linking with.