WITH his bags packed and cardboard boxes stacking up inside his Kingswood home, Rhys Lovegrove's seven-year love affair with Hull KR is drawing to a conclusion.
An impending move to London Broncos will bring to an end a link-up which first began in the summer of 2007.
Since then, the Aussie has become an integral part of the east Hull club and he admits being away from Rovers will feel strange.
Having arrived as a fresh-faced 20-year-old who was keen to make a name for himself in the game, he will head south as a player with bags of experience in his locker.
And Lovegrove is hoping to draw on that to play a pivotal role in the Broncos' rebirth next season, when they will aim to win promotion back to Super League at the first attempt.
In many ways, he is heading into a similar situation to the one he first found at Rovers. Back then, senior players like Mick Vella, Clint Newton and Ben Galea were vital to getting the Robins re-established as a top-flight side.
And after signing a two-year deal with the Broncos, Lovegrove hopes what he has seen and experienced at Rovers will stand him in good stead during his capital stay.
"I'm sad and excited about leaving, but it's a new chapter for me in my life," the 27-year-old told the Mail.
"I've been at Rovers a long while, but it's the right time to go.
"I'm approaching the move how I imagine Clint Newton, Ben Galea and Mick Vella will have when they joined Rovers.
"Justin Morgan signed them to create a certain culture he wanted and I hope I'm in the same position to help with that down there.
"If I can influence anything a little bit then that will be great. Hopefully, I can have the same amount of success those players did at Rovers."
For many Rovers fans, it won't look right seeing Lovegrove line up for another team, but they will have to get used to not having him there.
Initially signed as a centre, his own game has developed to the point where he's now a recognised forward who is equally adept at playing as a prop or back row.
Viewing his move to London as a fresh start, the switch will allow Lovegrove and his partner Libby to be closer to her family.
And with coach Chris Chester looking to take the Robins in a new direction for 2015, he does not want to outstay his welcome.
"Maybe I could have stayed at Rovers a bit longer but that wouldn't have been a good decision," he explained.
"The club has been in transition over the last 12 to 18 months and it's not quite the club I fell in love with back in 2007.
"It's different now and when I look back at my time at Rovers, I don't want my memories tarnished in any way.
"I want to make sure the memories I have are of Jim Gannon, Iain Morrison, Ben Fisher and James Webster – and having a laugh and having fun winning games.
"That's why I took the opportunity to leave when I did."
One thing Lovegrove is keen to do when he arrives at The Hive is make sure his young and inexperienced team-mates can approach him for advice.
"I remember what it was like when I was coming through," he added. "There were plenty of times senior players would walk past me and not offer help or advice because they were worried for their position in the team and I never understood why.
"I spoke to my Dad about it and he said they were looking after their job.
"What he meant is that if they helped you become a better player, you could push them out of the team.
"I swore then I would never do that and there's a part of me that wants to help the younger players come through."
Lovegrove has seen a lot of changes during his time at Rovers.
There have been many highlights, and a few lows too, but he is proud to have played in some memorable matches.
Having been part of the side which finished second bottom in 2007 and the one which ended up fourth in 2009, he admits life has "been amazing" at the Robins.
Wins over Leeds at Headingley, St Helens at Knowsley Road and Hull in the play-offs will all live long in the memory.
But even though he is moving over 200 miles away, Lovegrove will keep a close eye on how his former club get on in Chester's first full season.
"Rovers will be interesting to watch," he added.
"It's arguably the biggest transition since they won promotion.
"There have been player transitions before but never players, coach and culture all at the same time. It's a fresh start.
"Chris has some great ideas and he has a certain type of culture he wants at the club.
"Rovers are moving into a new chapter of their own and I'm very pleased to be a part of their last chapter.
"I'm looking forward to sitting back as a fan and watching that develop.
"Perhaps one day I'll come back and play against them. I'd love that."
