AS Saints skipper James Roby diligently puts the finishing touches to his 19th pre-season in Super League he is also mentally preparing to call time on a magnificent trophy-laden career with his home town club.
Although he has not officially announced that this next 10 months will be his last, he is pretty sure - but he won’t make that call for sure until the year is under way.
And he is relishing the challenge ahead - particularly opportunity to work in tandem with NRL recruit Joey Lussick.
He is inviting the Aussie rake to really push to try and grab the number nine shirt from him to complete the transition in the same way that he seamlessly moved into Keiron Cunningham’s boots.
Roby said: “I am pretty sure in my mind that it’s going to be my last and I am ready and preparing as if it is, mentally.
“But obviously we don’t know what is going to happen down the line and you never know what is going to happen.
“I have never officially said ‘I am 100 per cent retiring’ but I am 90 odd per cent sure that it is my last season.
“There are loads of different reasons, with one being that I don’t want to push it too far.
“Once we start playing and I see how I am feeling, that will be the ultimate kind of test to show the reasoning behind my decision.
“But I am feeling good and ready to get going and looking forward to another year – and hopefully if it is my last I can go out in a good manner.”
After several seasons of playing very long minutes, very often the full 80, Roby will get some respite next season when he will share the duties with Lussick.
The two working in tandem is a move that could mutually benefit both parties – and obviously the team as a whole.
“It is not set in stone yet what the plan is in terms of game time, but the idea is that me and Joey will kind of work that hooking role between us,” Roby said.
“It can only pay dividends, with me as an ageing player, having done 80 minutes in the past, having Joey available will limit my game time that means we may get a bit more quality and more zip in my time on the field.
“And then get a double whammy because Joey is going to come on and be nice and fresh. We know what he is capable of.”
Lussick has experience of Super League having played at Salford in 2019-20, including the Grand Final against Saints, before joining Parramatta.
Roby does not expect or desire Lussick to patiently wait for his revered Number 9 shirt to be handed over on a plate – he wants him to try and grab it from him.
“The plan is to kind of transition from me to him, and maybe by the back end of the year Joey might be doing the majority of it.
“I am not sure, but it is all gearing up for me finishing.
“Things have been going well in training and Joey is fitting in like we knew he would and he is a great lad to have around.
“I want Joey to come in as if he is trying to take my shirt.
“We all like that side of the game – that struggle and competition, not just for places but to perform and to uphold your standards.
“Joey coming in and trying to get that starting spot gives me extra motivation and keeps me on my toes.
“I am at the back end of my career now, I am 36-years-old, but I am still motivated still want to go as hard as I can,” Roby said.
There will be a full interview with James Roby in next week's St Helens Star 16-page Saints supplement to preview the Super League season.
Pictures: Bernard Platt
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