Twelve days ago Woden Valley Rams centre Michael Geiger was in hospital having emergency carpal tunnel surgery.
There are 15 stitches holding together a 12-centimetre scar, and his hand was bandaged so much it looked like he couldn't hold let alone catch a ball.
But he was never going to miss the Canberra Raiders Cup grand final at Seiffert Oval on Sunday.
Woden Valley Rams second-rower Bradley Martin, middle, showed his compassion by coming to aid of unconscious Tuggeranong fullback Matthew Gruber.
He even scored a try in a stunning 50-minute Rams display that had them in the box seat to win their first premiership since 1996.
Until the Bushrangers produced a miracle comeback that only a Lincoln Withers field-goal could stop.
By rights, Geiger should've been in the Seiffert stands trying to coax the Steeden over the crossbar, but instead he was in the thick of the action.
Did the euphoria of victory numb the pain? Not a hope in hell.
"I got clearance from the doctor to play. I busted about four stitches back open," Geiger said.
"She's stinging, she hurts a lot. After the last semi against Bushies I totally lost feeling in three of my fingers and ended up going to hospital.
Rams captain Jeffrey Morgan with the premiership cup.
"I was in emergency in surgery and eight hours later … you can't miss the grand final can you."
Rams second-rower Bradley Martin matched Geiger's courage with compassion.
In a great display of sportsmanship, he came to the aid of Matthew Gruber when the Bushrangers fullback was knocked out by a heavy tackle just before half-time.
Martin rushed to the unconscious Gruber and quickly put him in the coma position before help arrived.
Rams prop Tyson Hodge was forced off with a shoulder injury.
The pair knew each other from Martin's time with the Tuggeranong under-18s.
"Mate, I suspected the worst. He was just completely cold, eyes in the back of his head, I was like, 'Holy shit'," Martin said.
"It was pretty intense … if I was to go down like that I would expect a bit of sportsmanship like that. Poor Grubes, he copped it square in the head."
AT A GLANCE
Woden Valley Rams 31 (Rom Leapai, Michael Geiger, Adam Lucas, Cody Hodge, Michael Gilmour tries; Lincoln Withers 5 goals, field goal) bt Tuggeranong Bushrangers 30 (Matthew Dragisic 2, Jamal Nchouki 2, Jayden Pollard tries; Joshua Mitchell 5 goals) at Seiffert Oval.
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