Daly Cherry-Evans says his development from an instinctive young player to a more structured halfback is the biggest shift in his game.
At 37, he has joined the Roosters after 15 seasons and more than 350 games for Manly, where he won a premiership in his rookie year, 2011.
He still lives on the northern beaches and could end his NRL career with a one-season premiership for the eastern suburbs club.
At the Roosters, Cherry-Evans is the experienced playmaker beside Sam Walker, the young star who wears No.7 and brings an off-the-cuff style.
"If you look at anyone who's 22 years old and fast forward to them as a 37-year-old, things change," Cherry-Evans said.
"I'm a husband and a father now. I'm sure there are some mannerisms that have held true with my footy.
"I'm obviously more mature, so I have a better understanding of what the team needs."
He said his early style relied on instinct, though structure was being coached into him.
"I was very instinctive as a young player coming through the grades. I didn't have a lot of structure around me - not that it wasn't getting coached into me - but my style of play and personality was just playing what I see.
"I think over time I've become a halfback. For a long time I was a five-eighth wearing the No.7, and right now I'm probably a halfback wearing the No.6."