Jamie Soward may be concerned his contract with the Dragons won't be extended beyond 2010, but coach Wayne Bennett already has the talented pivot earmarked as the 'second' Darren Lockyer.
Just like he did with the Broncos champion during his time with Brisbane, Bennett is building a strong bond with Soward and sees him as a key figure at the club for several years to come.
The gifted playmaker enjoyed a stellar season in his first year under Bennett in '09, the red and whites winning the minor premiership before bowing out of the finals on the back of consecutive losses.
Asked if he could see similarities between his relationship with Lockyer and the one forming with Soward, Bennett replied: "Yeah absolutely. It's important with your chief playmakers that you do have a good relationship with them."
"You want them to think a little bit about the team and to think about their own game and if you don't communicate and build that relationship then there's going to be a lot of misunderstanding and a lot of frustration between both parties."
Soward was buoyed by the words of support and encouragement from Bennett but is taking nothing for granted heading into the new season.
The headgeared No.6 has been down rugby league's dark alleys before and knows how quickly things can change direction.
"I'm off contract at the end of the year so I've just got to play good this year," he declared.
"No-one cares what you did last year. I'm out to play good this year and hopefully Wayne at the end of the year comes to me and we sign a contract for next year."
While Soward said the Dragons could not just turn up and expect their 2009 form to roll into 2010, Bennett expects an even smoother campaign a year after joining the club following 21 consecutive seasons at Brisbane.
"When you've been in a place for a while you're certainly a lot more comfortable and I'm certainly in that boat," Bennett said.
"I just didn't realise what a big challenge I'd taken on until I got back this year and realised how much more easier it was having been with the guys for 12 months and everybody knowing what's required of them."
"(It's) a lot more easier this pre-season than last."