Newcastle recruit Aidan Guerra believed he was going to be a Sydney Rooster for life before being forced out of the NRL club.
After eight seasons at Bondi Junction, Guerra was in unfamiliar territory as the new face at Knights pre-season training on Monday.
The former Queensland State of Origin and one-time Australian representative received a rude shock when told to find a new home in 2018 but he quickly settled and embraced the challenge ahead of him in the Hunter.
"There was a time when I thought I'd finish my career at the Roosters," Guerra said.
"That was one thing I had a goal to do - that I'd play good enough football for them to want to retain me.
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"Things happen, they've got some good players coming through at the Roosters. I got my head around the fact I was going to have to leave. It was tough, I formed some really good friendships at that club and the good thing is they'll last longer than football.
"From the moment I decided I was going to come to Newcastle, I was definitely excited about it all."
Guerra was enticed by Knights coach Nathan Brown because of his experience and along with the likes of Chris Heighington and Jacob Lillyman, he will be charged with helping to develop the Knights' young pack.
He described the youthful side as brimming with potential, pointing to their string of upsets over St George Illawarra, the Warriors and Parramatta last year.
"The players that stood out last year, watching from afar, was Mitch Barnett. I thought he was outstanding," Guerra said of his fellow back-rower.
"Sione Mata'utia - he really stood up and you could see that as a young guy he was the leader for the team on the field last year. I saw that out on the field today, he's vocal.
"When you look at players like Brock Lamb, he was playing some really good football and he played a big part in the victories the Knights had towards the end of the season."
