James Tedesco has vowed not to overplay his hand in a new-look Sydney Roosters attack, admitting he has been guilty of doing so as recently as this year's pre-season trials.

Tedesco looms as the only constant in the Roosters' first-choice spine for the start of the season, with a hangover from last year's injuries.

New recruit Chad Townsend and 29-gamer Sandon Smith will start in the halves against Brisbane on Thursday night, with Luke Keary gone and Sam Walker to miss the opening months.

Connor Watson is the club's new No.9, after outgoing hooker Brandon Smith ruptured his ACL in the same game Walker did last August.

Siua Wong or Nat Butcher are also expected to start the season at lock, with Victor Radley moving to an edge.

Tedesco has been quick to dismiss fears around the Roosters' hopes after their 48-10 pre-season loss to Newcastle, but he did concede he tried to touch the ball too much in that game.

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And after admitting to similar issues when the Tricolours have been undermanned or inexperienced in previous campaigns, Tedesco said he had to place his faith in the likes of Townsend this year.

"That's not my best footy, trying to overplay and get my hands on the ball (too much)," Tedesco said.

"I need to trust Sangha (Smith) and Chaddy (Townsend) and our lock to play, and I can just play my normal role.

"When I have too many touches it's just not efficient.

"I just have to play my normal role, but try not to overplay and let those other guys in the spine take control."

Tedesco averaged the most touches in his career in 2020, when Cooper Cronk's retirement left an inexperienced Kyle Flanagan in the Roosters' No.7 jersey.

His involvement was also high in 2021 when Luke Keary went down with a ruptured ACL, leaving Drew Hutchinson and Walker as two young playmakers.

"It was a similar thing," Tedesco said.

"When I am trying to do too much or take too many carries, it's not beneficial for the whole team.

"So it's about trying to find that balance. It's good to learn those lessons in a trial (against Newcastle).

"I know people can take their opinions from it, but we took plenty of lessons from it. It was a trial and we can take our lessons into round one."

Meanwhile, Watson said he stood to benefit by being able to dedicate his entire summer to training as a hooker, after long being among the game's best utilities.

While usually preparing to play lock and dummy-half since returning to the Roosters, Watson is set to have his longest stint in one position since 2018.

"When you're playing lock there are a whole bunch of different things like your catch and that type of pass," Watson said.

"But I have been able to put a lot of work into building a combination with the spine, and all the nuances ... like where guys like to receive the ball."