Connor O'Byrne has always been a team man, but what he did while lying on the ground in agony after breaking his thigh bone should go down in Gungahlin Eagles folklore.
The inspirational captain knew something was wrong when his leg got tangled with another player and he could feel "the grind of bone" in his upper leg.
The injury was so bad that in the following days O'Byrne questioned why he played rugby or if he would ever play again.
But just moments after hearing a "click", O'Byrne looked at the Gungahlin medical staff and asked them to drag him off the field so the game could continue.
Related Content
Commonsense prevailed and the referee and coaches decided to move the game to a neighbouring field instead of moving Eagles skipper O'Byrne.
But his selfless act for a team he has played more than 100 games is the reason why his broken bone was felt by all at a club that is celebrating its 50th year.
"To be honest, when the doctor told me the recovery time I said it didn't matter because I wasn't playing again," O'Byrne said.
"But as the days go on, and with all the support I've received, I won't be able to stay away from the Eagles for too long. Bit by bit, I'll return to rugby.
"I had around 50 texts on my phone and 140 messages on Facebook to get through, from Eagles players and guys from other clubs wishing me well.
"At times in the days after the injury, I questioned why even played football, but that was answered when I got the support I did."
O'Byrne will be missing when the Eagles play premiership favourites the Tuggeranong Vikings at Nicholls Enclosed on Saturday.
But his passion for the club and his teammates will be felt when they run on to the field while he begins a long recovery process.
O'Byrne broke his femur - the bone which runs down the entire thigh, in the Eagles' round-four win against Easts in the John I Dent Cup last week.
The Eagles lock was storming into Easts' half when his legs became entangled with a rival.
As he was tackled to the ground, O'Byrne's foot got caught in the turf, causing all his weight and force to be pushed through his leg.
O'Byrne is no stranger to pain. He's broken his collar bone five times, dislocated his shoulder, fractured fingers and had countless more bumps and bruises. But this was different.
"My whole body went left and my leg stayed right", said O'Byrne.
"I can still hear the click…my muscles started to spasm and I could feel the two parts of my femur going past each other, and the grind of the bone.
"It's easily the most painful thing I've ever been through. I've broken my collar bone five times, dislocated my shoulder, fractured fingers, but with this pain, there was no denying what I had done.
"I knew that it was broken straight away".
O'Byrne has seen incredible change at the Eagles in his four years at the club. He recalls the days when just 32 men showed up for pre-season training in his first year. Now the Eagles have 150 registered players.
O'Byrne will need all the support he can get as he starts the gruelling recovery process.
Having had a steel rod put in his femur to stabilise the bone, O'Byrne will now be on crutches for six weeks. It will be eight months or longer before he can do any contact sports.
It's early days in terms of recovery, but O'Byrne is already starting to think about his return to first grade rugby.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me this past week. Everyone who sent messages, they've helped me so much," O'Byrne said.
"I want to thank particularly our physio, Gav Malouf and Ben McGee for being there for me. As well, my mum and dad, my brothers and my girlfriend Sarah, they made sure there was always someone there with me in the hospital and I couldn't have gotten through it without them."
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND FIVE
Saturday: Easts v Tuggeranong Vikings at Griffith Oval, 3.05pm; Royals v Easts at Phillip Oval, 3.05pm; Wests v Royals at Jamison Enclosed, 3.15pm. Uni-Norths Owls - bye.
Poll
You will need Cookies enabled to use our Voting Feature.
Should the ACT Brumbies merge with the Melbourne Rebels?
Poll closes in 38 days.
Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.
Should the ACT Brumbies merge with the Melbourne Rebels?
Poll closes in 38 days.
Disclaimer: These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.