Luke Keary has labelled his transition to No.7 as a natural move but says the shift from five-eighth won't take away his freedom to roam.
Keary will start at halfback in the Roosters' NRL season-opener against Manly next Saturday night, with Lachlan Lam to play outside him at No.6.
In many ways, the shift has been a long-time coming.
The 29-year-old knows he's always been at his best when he's in control, with his 2018 grand-final performance alongside an injured Cooper Cronk undoubtedly the best of his career.
Keary took on more control again last year, but the new number on his back firmly put the onus on him with an inexperienced half alongside him.
"It's probably naturally how I played when I was younger too, you're kind of on-ball when you're taking over," Keary said.
"I kind of had to take that senior game playing role (last year with Kyle Flanagan).
"I think it will be good.
"It's probably a natural progression for me that I kind of knew was going to happen at some stage of my career."
Keary is keen not to overburden Lam, wanting him to play as a runner and free to take his opportunities.
"I kind of just let the young dudes do their thing," Keary said.
"You don't want to flood them with stuff. You just kind of go out there and let them play their game.
"I know when I was playing No.6, the less info sometimes the better. You just want to be free and take your opportunities when you get them."
What Keary doesn't want to do however is take away from his own attacking prowess.
Despite wearing the No.6 last year, he still had more touches per game than Flanagan and set up 20 tries in his 20 games.
While taking on the extra responsibility at half, he still wants to play on the ball as he and James Tedesco eye a crucial combination through the middle against tired defenders.
"The successful teams over the years, even through the early 2000s and 2010s when Melbourne had Coops running the show (had a half on the ball)," Keary said.
"I think it's an important part of each team, you need someone there who can control the game and finish games."
Australian Associated Press
