Amos Roberts should be playing his final game for the Roosters tonight, and then joining the opposition. A three-year deal with South Sydney was, as Roberts puts it, "signed, sealed, delivered".

But two things happened. Souths could not offload back-rower Joe Galuvao - among others - to free up the money. And a phone call to Roberts was made by Brad Fittler, who had an incredible premonition that he would soon be coaching the Roosters - a week before Chris Anderson resigned from the job.

"He said that he felt he'd be coaching the Roosters soon, and that he wanted me to be an important part of his side," Roberts said. "That phone call is the only reason I stayed at the Roosters."

The 26-year-old winger admits he hasn't had the best of seasons, and described his year - with the birth of his first child, the contractual saga and his form fluctuations - as "happy, sad, stressful and exciting".

Only six months ago, Roberts rubbished the idea of joining the Rabbitohs. On February 27, at Woolloomooloo PCYC, Roberts was watching his boxer friend Solomon Haumono prepare for a comeback fight.

During a conversation with the Herald, Roberts was asked if he would ever consider playing for Souths. "No way, they're going nowhere," was his response.

Then, in mid-June, rumours surfaced that the lowly placed Roosters wanted to release Roberts - who was contracted for next season - but he remained coy about that and his link to Souths. Only this week did he reveal what had transpired. The Rabbitohs were so keen to sign Roberts as the fullback replacement for David Peachey that co-owner Russell Crowe personally visited him to push the case.

If it hadn't been for Fittler's 11th-hour phone call, he would have joined teammate Craig Wing at Erskineville next year. Roberts was also keen to play alongside his good friends Nathan Merritt and Dean Widders. "Kooris want to play with kooris," he said.

The day after Fittler took over from Anderson as coach, Roberts sent this text message to the Herald: "Stayin for one more year and see what happens after that."

Fate brought Fittler to the helm, and a new start for the Chooks with four wins and a draw from seven games.

"I'm a big believer in karma, it's meant for me to stay at the Roosters next year," Roberts said.