Keary's halfback switch a natural progression

Roosters playmaker Luke Keary says his move to the No.7 jersey is a natural progression that has been coming for some time.

Keary's has been one of the game's premier five-eighths since he cemented a starting spot midway through South Sydney's 2014 premiership season.

Since then he has played the majority of his career alongside Adam Reynolds or Cooper Cronk, but as the club's senior half with a crop of youngsters now vying to partner him, Keary is ready to assume the chief playmaking duties.

"I kind of had to take that senior game playing role [last year]," he said.

"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. I'm pretty comfortable with it.

"It's probably naturally how I played when I was younger too, you're kind of on-ball when you're taking over then I've been lucky to play with some pretty good sevens that have freed me up and allowed me to play a different role."

Keary won the 2018 Clive Churchill Medal playing almost as a six and a seven while Cronk, with a fractured scapula, played virtually as an on-field coach. On that night Keary proved he can play as a No.7.

He said the move this year won't change his role significantly.

"Probably just a bit more control with the kicking and game management stuff but I don't think my personal game will change too much at all," he said.

Keary also has not been overloading five-eighth Lachlan Lam or the other half options like Sam Walker, Adam Keighran and Drew Hutchison with information.

"I kind of just let the young dudes do their thing," he said.

"You don't want to over flood them with stuff. You just kind of go out there and let them play their game.

"I know when I was playing six, the less info sometimes the better. You just want to be free and take your opportunities when you get them. I don't want him to feel like he's got to do too much."

Having five players capable of starting an NRL game in the halves would help drive all of them to be better, according to Keary.

"It's been good; Lammy's the dude, he's been given the nod but they've obviously brought Sammy for a reason, everyone saw a bit on the weekend and you can see why everyone's pretty excited about him.

"Hutcho is solid, I know Robbo trusts him heaps. He would have played that grand final in 2019 if I didn't play, that's how much Robbo trusts him. Adz has been awesome for us, like a mini Aubo [retired utility Mitch Aubusson] for us.

"Lachie's been given the confidence but there's some good competition for us with young Sammy there who's going to push his way to try and get a spot which is always good."