The 24-year-old has been involved in several off-field incidents during his career and was previously sacked by the Penrith Panthers.

And after a stint with the Titans, trouble followed him to Brisbane with the speed machine involved in two high profile incidents while on the drink.

He was fined $20,000 in 2015 after reportedly threatening a female bar tender at a pub before allegedly pulling a female patron’s hair on the Gold Coast last year after a day at the races.

The incident was investigated by the NRL which requested CCTV footage from the pub where he was drinking, however, the establishment refused to hand over the tapes.

A stint in a Thai rehab centre ensued with Roberts emerging as one of the best three-quarters of 2017, resulting in his new long-term deal.

“(Roberts) off-field behaviour, he’s made some real commitments there and it’s not easy to do what he’s done,” Bennett said.

“He’s obviously given up alcohol and given up drugs and for six or seven months now he’s been in that situation.

“It’s been game-changing for him and that’s why he has got a four-year contract.

“When we bought him we realised we bought some problems. We weren’t that naive.

“But he continues to improve and I think what he’s done has been quite remarkable. It’s mostly gone under the radar because we haven’t gone out and talked about it, we don’t need to talk about it.

“He just needs to live it and he’s been doing that. There’s been a remarkable change in him as well.”

Bennett said Roberts was now a respected member of the squad.

“When he came here last year you could hardly say he was a part of the team but he is now,” Bennett said.

“He’s a part of the team, an important part of the team and he’s an equal to everybody else here. They all respect him enormously and he makes a real contribution here.

“Just his behaviour and his attitude to his fellow teammates. It’s not all about James anymore.”

Roberts has not spoken to the media this year and instead focused on rebuilding his stature within the team.

Roberts said his Thailand trip was the catalyst for his remarkable turnaround.

“It was a big thing,” Roberts said. “I had a few months to myself and to think about myself. It made me realise a lot of things and thinking about my son made me realise there are more important things than just myself.

“Getting my life off the field has been the main factor here and the Broncos have done a wonderful job.

“They are a family orientated club and that’s what I’m all about.”