He laughs at the nickname "Killer" being forced on him, but a bulked-up Nick Kenny says he is ready to assume the hit-man role for Brisbane in 2009.

"I've heard it bandied around," grins the 26-year-old Bronco forward who has a great chance to take his game to the next level following the departure of representative front-rower Ben Hannant.

"I'm not the one to comment on how I get my nickname but you could be called worse."

But Kenny declared his hand about his intentions next season.

"I want to nail down a starting front-row spot," he said after a smash-up training session at Queensland University this week.

"Without getting too far ahead of myself I know I have to keep the weight on, keep training really well and playing really well, especially in the trials.

"It's not a matter of wanting something and asking for it, I've got to prove that I'm worthy of it to the people that matter.

"My destiny is in my own hands and I have to make the most of it."

Kenny is building a reputation as one of the cleanest hitters in Brisbane's senior squad.

He's not afraid to put his body on the line for his team - in fact, he revels in the heavy physical contact side of rugby league.

To help his cause he has stacked on four kilograms during the off-season through diet and a new weights program, adding even more venom to the already stinging defensive hits he honed last year with some one-on-one tuition from former rib-rattling lock Tonie Carroll.

"TC took me under his wing last year and I did a lot of extras with him after training, working on my running lines and defence," said Kenny, who collected the club's most improved player award this year for his 21 NRL games.

Kenny's rapid improvement was further recognised recently when he was named in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad.

"That's pretty exciting," he said.

"Like any young Queenslander who plays rugby league, it would be a dream to pull on that maroon jersey and, even though it's a long way away, the fact people are taking notice is encouraging.

"It's not really on my mind at the moment, what's on my mind is having a really strong pre-season going to the year."

Incoming coach Ivan Henjak says Kenny's pre-season work has been "awesome" and he also complimented young prop prospect Dave Taylor for his shift in attitude.

Kenny said the competition for starting props was intense with Taylor, Joel Clinton and Sam Thaiday all in the running along with Ipswich pick-up Aaron Sweeney.

"With Dave and Sam, Joel and Aaron, who is a bit of a goer, there's some in-house rivalry that's healthy for all of us," Kenny said.

"We're going out on the training field each day trying to out-do each other which is healthy for team morale."

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