Tyrone Roberts has lived in Newcastle since he was 14-years-old, so he couldn't envisage living anywhere else.
Roberts' close affiliation with the Steel City and the Knights is a major reason why he re-signed with the Club for a further two years on Wednesday, until the end of the 2016 season.
You see, the halfback wants to remain in red-and-blue long-term so he can follow in the footsteps of Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen and finish his career as a one-club player.
"I’ve been here since I was 14, so I’ve grown to be a part of this Club," Roberts says.
"I am just thankful that I can get this over and done with and concentrate on my year.
"Hopefully I can become a one-club player, because I’ve been in the system since I was 14 and that would be a great achievement.
"Now I’m looking forward to the next two years and hopefully it can continue."
Roberts came of age as a football and person last season, leading the Club to the play-offs from halfback.
The 22-year-old credits coach Wayne Bennett for much of his personal growth in the past two years.
"It’s been a great off-season and he (Wayne) has shown me a lot of patience," he enthuses.
"I’m just grateful that I can re-sign for another two years and hopefully go for a lot more.
"I’ve got good combinations with the players and I’m really achieving a lot of goals at the moment."
Roberts captained the Knights for the first time earlier this month against the Indigenous First Nations Goannas.
The Grafton-born No.7 rates that one of the highlights of his career and would love to get another opportunity to lead the Club down the track.
"That was a big moment for me taking the boys out against the Goannas," he says.
"I love this Club and to get another two years is great so i can settle down and look to the future.
"So if i get a chance to captain the Knights again, I'll do it with plenty of pride and passion as well."
With the Auckland Nines done and dusted, the Knights' focus now turns to their final trial match of the pre-season against Canberra at Tamworth's Scully Park on Saturday.
Roberts says the game will be a great chance to work on combinations ahead of the NRL season proper against Penrith on March 8.
"After coming back from the Nines there was a bit more space, but that's going to be minimised this weekend," he says.
"But i'm looking forward to the game to work on combinations we've built over the pre-season.
"I come from a small town myself, so I'll get out there and mingle with the community.
"So it's going to be a great weekend and I'm sure Tamworth will enjoy it as well."
