“We’re a little bit down the line with some stuff for next year,” Aubusson said. "We’ll just see how it all pans out but, at the moment, it’s a really positive chat between the club and myself. “I’ve been in contact with Robbo [Roosters coach Trent Robinson] every couple of weeks about where I’m at with it all and he’s been really good. I’m not worried about it. It’s not cliched, but I can’t let it worry me. I’m getting to that age now where I’m really confident with my football ability and I’ve still got the hunger. “I won’t be playing for another club, that’s pretty clear. That’s where I’m at with it.” Mitch Aubusson is an unheralded hero at the Roosters. Credit:NRL Images The Roosters have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game, including Minichiello, Arthur Beetson, Dally Messenger, Ron Coote, Craig Fitzgibbon, Brad Fittler, Dave Brown and Luke Ricketson. Aubusson is on track to set an appearances mark that none of them were able to achieve during their illustrious careers, not that the utility concerns himself with such matters.

“It’s not really that high on my priority list, if I’m honest,” he said. “In this game, I’ve learnt over the last few years that if you look too far ahead it comes back and bites you pretty quickly. Loading “I’m enjoying the ride, enjoying being part of a successful team. It’s been a tough couple of weeks with our crew, missing guys with Origin. It’s good to have those guys back. We want to get back to our winning ways and playing some consistent footy to finish the back end of the year.” Aubusson is a rarity in that he has enjoyed a long career at the one club. He said he felt privileged to wear the red, white and blue and was hopeful of doing so again in 2020. “I feel the loyalty goes both ways: you have to perform well and the club has to want to keep you there,” he said. “For me to finish a one-club man was really important. I set that goal two years ago, that this is where I wanted to finish up. The older you get, you realise it doesn’t happen that often.