KEY POINTS:
He is one of the smallest Warriors but Grant Rovelli comes with big expectations these days.
Little was known of the 23-year-old halfback when he arrived in Auckland for the start of the 2006 season. Now, however, everyone in the NRL knows about him.
Warriors Young Player of the Year, finalist in the prestigious Dally M Rookie of the Year, one of only two Warriors to play all 24 games last season (the other was Micheal Luck) and a whopping contract extension through to the end of 2010 - it's fair to say things went pretty well for Rovelli last season.
"It was pretty cool," Rovelli says a little bashfully. It soon becomes apparent that the boy from the sugar cane and mining town of Mackay in northern Queensland isn't necessarily comfortable talking about himself.
"This time last year, I would never have thought all those things would have happened.
"I was hoping they would, but it was definitely a good year.
"I didn't really know how I would fit into the puzzle. I honestly thought I might get a run if there were injuries."
As it transpired, Rovelli started the first five rounds on the bench, got a start at the troublesome five-eighths position in round six, then reverted back to the bench before starting every game at halfback from round 10.
It was a position Nathan Fien was supposed to fill after the departure of Stacey Jones but it soon became apparent that Fien was better suited at hooker with Rovelli slotting in at halfback.
He was confident without being cocky, wasn't afraid to boss his forwards around, possessed a handy short kicking game, didn't shirk from tackling the behemoths in the middle of the park (in the round 13 loss to the Broncos he topped the tackle count with 35) and usually took the right options. Above all, he was a livewire who fitted nicely into a team going through a re-development phase.
He had cultivated his game at the Roosters, under the guidance of former coach Ricky Stuart, and studied the likes of Brad Fittler, Jim Dymock and Brett Finch.
But it was Ivan Cleary who had the biggest impression on him as reserve grade coach for two seasons and it was the Warriors boss who lured him to Auckland.
"I just saw him as a guy who deserved an opportunity," Cleary says. "He played premier league [in Sydney] for three years, the last two as captain of a side that made the grand final.
"In terms of halfbacks, he was just about as good as anyone in those lower comps," he said. "It only seemed natural that he deserved a chance, although he took that and exceeded my expectations."
This year could be more difficult for Rovelli. Some point to what's known as second-year syndrome but it's a somewhat simplistic argument.
While players might appear to struggle in their second season, they have to do it against a backdrop of heightened expectations from fans and increased awareness from oppositions.
Rovelli is acutely aware people will expect more of him in 2007.
"I try not to think about that sort of thing," he says. "It's definitely been a different off-season this year. It's been a lot easier in some ways because my combinations with the likes of Jerome Ropati, Nathan Fien and George Gatis are already in place.
"But it's a lot harder in other ways because a lot of people know me now. I won't have that surprise element any more. I don't believe in that second-year syndrome, although the boys have been giving it to me. It's more that people will expect big things."
Cleary is trying to keep these expectations in check.
The young coach is not one to use superlatives when talking about his players, it's just not his style, and he knows the folly of building up both egos and expectations.
"We just expect him to improve like everyone else," Cleary says. "If we can get every player improving, then the team will improve.
"We don't expect him to become an Andrew Johns, or anything like that. It's a tough position to play because you handle the ball a lot and you have an important role in terms of direction. We don't want to put all of it on Grant. He's only 23 and only had one year in first grade. I'm not saying he can't be really good but there's a long way to go."
It's a lot like the Warriors as a whole, really. They showed signs of improvement last season and have the potential to kick on but they don't yet look like a premiership-winning side. They must, though, make the playoffs in 2007.
"We have to make the top eight, top four even," Rovelli agrees. "I think we've done the work and we've got the players to do it. I just want us to perform like I know we can.
"The thing is 15 other teams have been saying how well they've been going and everyone wants to win.
"We've put in a lot of hard work and it showed against the Doggies [in the 36-6 pre-season trial win last weekend]."
Rovelli, too, has put in a lot of hard work. It's what players need to do to fulfil burgeoning expectations.
Grant Rovelli
* Age: 23
* Position: halfback
* NRL games: 24
Rovelli was one of only two players to appear in all 24 Warriors games last season. It helped him collect the Warriors Young Player of the Year award, an improved contract through to the end of 2010 and he was also a finalist for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
