"We had a rugby union offer on the table," said the former Otahuhu College flyer.
"It was in New Zealand. I sort of told (his manager) that I feel like I am still growing in league. I feel like I am still to peak.
"I don't want to be the average league player that almost made it. I really wanted to do something in the game."
The hardest part of his decision was facing up to his Roosters teammates to explain he would be heading home across the Tasman.
"I didn't really know how to say it to the boys," he said.
"But then every night I went home and saw the family and thought what I could do for them.
"The opportunity the Warriors are giving me, I am going to be able to keep my family in Sydney and they get to live the Sydney lifestyle.
"I think my family deserve it. We didn't have a tough life but we grew up in a tough area. It was all about go to work, come home, wake up early and go to work again.
"In the end I just said I have to do it, I have to man up and tell them I won't be a part next year."
As disappointed as they were to see their gun No1 preparing to fly the coop, his Roosters teammates backed his decision.
"I started to weep because I was getting so emotional," he said.
"They just all said if that is what you have to do you have to do it. We will still support you and love you. That was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders."
Between now and the end of the year however, his sole focus remains on helping the Roosters to another title and finishing his time Bondi on a high.
"Desperately. I definitely feel like I want to leave on a positive," he said.
