Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was determined to leave everything on the field in his final appearance at Old Trafford - a career swansong that almost didn't happen.
The Kiwi icon faced an anxious start to the week after being handed a three-match Grade C ban after the semi-final win over St Helens, which threatened to bring a premature and bitter end to a decorated career. The 36-year-old had already announced his retirement plans back in April.
However, Hull KR successfully appealed the charge following a three-hour tribunal, freeing up the veteran prop to feature in Saturday's Grand Final - and he didn't disappoint.
The Sydney Roosters legend turned back the clock with a powerful performance that helped inspire Hull KR to a 24-6 victory over Wigan Warriors, earning Rob Burrow Award votes and sealing a historic treble in his one and only season with the Robins.
"It was a bit of a funny week," Waerea-Hargreaves said. "I faced the judiciary early in the week and have obviously been in that situation a few times - but as soon as I got the right call there, I could start mentally preparing.
"Going out on my terms was something I really wanted to do. I kept telling my mate Shaun Kenny-Dowall [assistant coach] not to take me off.
"You run around out there knowing it's your last, what a feeling to be going after every single moment.
"When I got the call to say I was free to play, I just had the vision of not stopping. I wanted to be everywhere, and I'm so happy for us to share so many memories."
Waerea-Hargreaves joins an elite group of players who have won Grand Finals on both sides of the world, alongside team-mate Tyrone May, capping off the greatest season in Hull KR's history under the leadership of head coach Willie Peters.
"I'm so proud for the team, for the club, for Neil [Hudgell, owner], the board, and obviously Willie. It's been an experience and I'm so grateful that I've been able to do that.
"It's a feeling I probably wasn't expecting - but I'm super grateful for the game and the opportunity that I've had. What an experience."
His arrival in Super League was hailed as one of the competition's biggest-ever signings, bringing with him three NRL Premierships and more than 300 appearances for the Roosters - where he became the club's all-time leading appearance maker.
Looking back, he says taking the leap to East Hull was one of the best decisions of his 17-year career.
"I watched a few games last year, and I knew the culture was in a really good place and could see the players were super hungry after rocking up on November 28 last year [for pre-season]," said the no-nonsense forward.
"Being a small part of this has been one of the best decisions of my career. It's been 10-fold, above and beyond what we expected. What an experience for us as a family."
The current Hull KR squad has now etched their names into club folklore, delivering three trophies in a single season after four decades without silverware.
Waerea-Hargreaves will return to Australia with his family later this year, having left a lasting mark on Rovers - and with the Robins clearly leaving a mark on him. He retires alongside fellow enforcer and veteran hooker Michael McIlorum, who defied the odds twice across the season to return from injuries and feature in the Challenge Cup Final and Grand Final.
"Hopefully what myself and Micky McIlorum have instilled in these guys is that it doesn't matter how you feel," said Waerea-Hargreaves. "You've got to keep turning up every single day, every single session and give it your all.
"Hopefully we've instilled that belief and hardness so they can go on and have more success."