Reuben Cotter's lip was trembling and his hands still shaking after an 80-minute State of Origin debut performance he rated the best thing he's experienced.
It could quickly be trumped though as he races home to Townsville for the birth of his first child.
The North Queensland lock made 49 tackles and played every minute in Wednesday's 16-10 win over NSW at Accor Stadium, his thirst for hard work proving perfect for the Origin arena.
"I'm still shaking, just trying to soak it all up," Cotter told AAP while veteran prop Josh Papalii sat beside him, arm draped over his shoulder like a proud dad.
Reuben Cotter of the Maroons is tackled during Game 1 of the 2022 State of Origin series. Source: AAP
"My body's pretty sore, but I'm sure a few beers will help that.
"It's the best feeling I've ever experienced so far, all I've dreamed of and more, unreal.
"It was the quickest game of footy I've played and only got quicker as the game went on.
"The last 10 minutes was crazy; they never stopped coming but we kept turning up for each other."
Cotter's partner is due on Saturday, the Mackay product revealing the prospect of a clash was something that had been discussed at the beginning of the season.
"We had a conversation at the start of the year if it's to happen," he said.
"She knows how much the game and this jersey would mean to me if I was selected.
"So she's been great - pretty cool, calm collected - and I can't wait to get home now and have the bub."
