He is still learning some of the intricacies of the game but Mitch Dening's code switch has reinvigorated the former league stars footballing passion.
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The 24-year old, who had stints at the Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers, admits he had lost interest in the game he had played pretty much all his life.
"I suppose I was to the point where I didn't have anything else to prove with league and just the love of the game wasn't there for me," he said.
"I felt like a needed a change."
"I just needed something to bring that hype back."
He had a couple of friends that played with Pirates and they suggested he come down and have a run and see if he liked it.
I suppose I was to the point where I didn't have anything else to prove with league and just the love of the game wasn't there for me
- Mitch Dening
It has been, as he put it, an "interesting" transition - coming from a league background and not really knowing any of the rules.
He admits he still on occasion has to ask his team-mates what a certain penalty is for.
"I'm learning on the go," Dening said.
The aspect of the game that is the most foreign to him, he said the most difficult thing to get his head around has been the breakdown.
"I'm still coming to terms with all the different lingo as well," he said.
"[But] I feel with each game I'm starting to feel more comfortable, and learning how the other boys play."
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He hadn't really played with any of the side before this season.
He was set to play with five-eighth Brandon Parry at Kootingal last season, but Parry broke his ankle in the Roosters' first trial game.
After starting at outside centre in his first two games, Dening will wear the 12 on Saturday as the premiers look to get their season back on track against Gunnedah.
"I got pushed into inside [centre] the last 15 against Walcha. I felt like I was a lot more comfortable at inside and obviously getting the ball a lot more and a bit earlier," he said.
He was though fairly well starved of opportunities as the Rams gave Pirates a taste of their own medicine.
It was his first experience of what is one of the biggest rivalries in the competition.
"It's definitely from an outsiders' perspective, that rivalry between Pirates and Walcha, very similar to Wests and Norths," he said.
Making his first grade debut when he was just 16, Dening was part of 2011 and 2012 Lions' premiership-winning sides, although he missed out on the 2012 grand final after breaking his leg playing for Country.
He said the attitude at training this week has been really good, the loss giving them the "motivation we needed at training and at the start of the year".
"The enthusiasm has been really good, the boys have worked really hard," he said.
"We're ready for this weekend."
