A five-eighth by trade, as big as he already was, Matterson was facing a key decision: stay in the No.6 and run the risk of becoming an understudy or switch to the back row and force his way into coach Trent Robinson's best 17, as he's done for the fourth week in a row ahead of Thursday's grudge match against South Sydney.

"My dad's always been a big believer in if you're playing football, you're a footballer," Matterson said.

"Some people like only left centre. If you're playing football you should be playing anywhere – you run hard, tackle hard, so it doesn't really worry me [where I play].

"I just love playing footy and the longer I can spend out on the football field I'll just keep doing that."

Matterson often leans on his father, Paul, for advice. Paul played two games for Eastern Suburbs in 1986, a product of the Matterson family that had strong links to Western Suburbs in the 1920s and '30s.

Ryan is also a nephew of Terry Matterson, a two-time premiership-winning lock with the Broncos, who now plies his trade as an assistant coach to Neil Henry at the Gold Coast.

Terry's coaching career also included five years in Britain, meaning he rarely spent much time with Ryan during his junior days, but he has always kept a close eye on his nephew.

"We've talked a few times and all that about his games," Terry said. "I used to sit down when I had a spare moment and watch some of the 20s games when he was playing for Parramatta.

"There was no doubt he was talented enough and he was big enough, but I think he's really toughened up going to the Roosters. He's put on more weight and he's got a lot more confidence.

"I've seen a massive difference in his defence; he doesn't miss many [tackles] these days. He always had a bad miss growing up in the 20s, as most do.

"He's got a real hard edge in all his footy now. He's turned into a back-rower, so I suppose he had to toughen up a little bit."

Ryan finished last year at 101 kilograms, but now boasts a fighting weight of 108 kilograms after shifting into the Roosters' talented pack of forwards.

The 22-year-old offers Robinson plenty of impact off the bench and his fitness means he's been churning out the minutes during the Roosters unbeaten opening three rounds.

In February, the Roosters rewarded Matterson with a two-year contract extension that will keep him in the east until at least 2019.

"I know that Roosters is a great club and I want to play here, so I said I'll do whatever I can to play here and get good minutes," Matterson said.

"We're building a culture that I reckon will last for a long time ... that steel sharpens steel, iron sharpens iron.

"A lot of players are re-signing at lengthy years. We're just building a very tough and player-accountable mentality."