Reborn Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary has nothing to prove to South Sydney when he faces his former club for the first time.
That's the opinion of Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner, who believes a fresh start away from Redfern last summer was exactly the move Keary needed for his burgeoning career.
Keary departed from the Rabbitohs in acrimonious circumstances last year following a pre-season disagreement with owner Russell Crowe.
"I think he's already established himself to tell you the truth," Cordner said.
"You just have to look at the 2014 season he had with South Sydney. They won a premiership and he was a massive part in that team.
"Just probably a fresh start for him, coming in, having a full pre-season under (coach Trent Robinson), I think it's done him the world of good.
"He just wants to go out, play footy, and he's doing a good job of that at the moment."
Second-rower Aidan Guerra seconded Cordner's comments, saying the dynamic pivot won't be distracted by wanting to prove his old club erred in letting him go when they meet on Thursday.
Guerra urged Keary needed to keep a clear mind against his old teammates.
"I'm not too sure what Luke's mentality is, (but) he won't be going out there with a vengeance or anything like that. We want him playing clear football," Guerra said.
"If he's vocal steering us around the park, I'm sure he'll have the performance he wants."
The Keary defection is just the latest chapter in a long rivalry between the two foundation clubs, who have split their past 18 matches.
The Roosters have shot out of the blocks in 2017 to sit alongside Melbourne as the only two undefeated teams at the top of the table heading into round four.
Not since 1995 have the Tricolours opened a season with four straight wins.
Cordner said it was imperative his team started strongly this season after beginning last year's campaign with five successive defeats, all but ruining any chance of a finals shot.
"I think last year we lost our first six, which isn't the way you want to go at all," he said.
"But this year it's been a fresh start for us, and we've put all that behind us and we've used it as motivation. Obviously it helps having our full squad available at the start of the year, too.
"It's going to be exciting for Luke. The way he's started off the year as well, that healthy rivalry with Souths, it's always good. It's good for us as players and also good for the game and fans as well."
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