Star Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck admitted to nerves in the lead up to facing his ex-Roosters team for the first time but he showed no signs with a match-winning try in his side's 32-28 golden point win.
If Tuivasa-Sheck's 82nd-minute four-pointer – to cruel the Roosters' hopes of their first win of the year – wasn't brave enough then perhaps entering his old sheds after full-time would do the trick.
"After the game I went in just to see all my friends. I know it wasn't the best time for me to go in but I love those boys so I just went in," Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"I said hello to everyone and sent them my love. They're doing it a bit tough with their key players out."
Well-received by his ex-teammates after the final whistle it was a whole different story earlier on Sunday with Tuivasa-Sheck's nerves hitting him hard upon his arrival to Central Coast Stadium.
"I was all calm coming here on the bus. Even at training during the week I was switched on 'yep I'm playing my old boys' and coming over here I was sweet," Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"I don't think it was until I walked through the tunnel and I started seeing the old faces when I was like 'ohhh here we go'. I had to calm down in the sheds and try and focus on my job.
"It was a crazy game but I was just happy to finally get my first try. I think I was lucky just to be there considering all the hard work done by Tui Lolohea," Tuivasa-Sheck added, of his match-winning play.
"I was surprised I still had some energy left in me. I was just hoping to cross that line. I just pinned my ears back and went for it."
Tuivasa-Sheck ended proceedings with 150 metres and two try assists in a sure-tell sign the Warriors spine is starting to work through their earlier teething problems.
All in all, halfback Shaun Johnson provided a 16-point haul while hooker Issac Luke easily produced his best game as a Warrior.
"We all came together knowing we could do something special. It was just about putting in together. We were all expecting to come in and magic was going to happen but I think it takes time," Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"In the first two games we weren't gelling but as the season has gone on we're starting to look good so it'll probably take some more time. I'm happy with the way things are going.
"I always knew it wasn't going to be a pretty start, even though we would have all loved to come out firing but I'm happy we're going in the right direction."
