Is there anything more nerve-racking in life for a player than running out onto the field on debut or in a big game?
Wests Tigers back-rower Michael Chee Kam was put to the test, proposing to his partner of four years Alex during Women in League Round.
Here is the catch.
The 25-year-old originally planned to get down on one knee during a holiday trip to Melbourne when the Wests Tigers had the bye back in Round 12.
And it didn't get off to a good start.
"I forgot the ring," Chee Kam told NRL.com.
"It was all planned and I had in mind what I was going to do. The ring was from House of Kdor and they were calling me on the Saturday saying aren't you supposed to be here.
"My mind was just all over the place that week and maybe I wasn't ready or just nervous. Alex left for Bali the week later so I had to change the plans."
Fast-forward two months and Chee Kam came up with the idea to finally pop the question on the back of the couple recently purchasing a new place together.
With some clever help from those around him, the Mount Wellington junior was able to deliver the moment.
"I told her I wanted to take a nice photo in front of the sold sign so to dress nice and that my little brother was going to take a photo when really he was just there to record it all," he said.
"I didn't know how I was going to do it at first so just set up some balloons with the letters spelling 'Will you marry me?' in one of the rooms.
"It was good from the real estate agent too because I went and got the key to the house after our captains run last week and asked if I could set it up earlier.
"But then we returned the keys so we could go pick them up again later with her in the afternoon to make out it was all new."
Thankfully, Alex said yes with the newly engaged couple now set to plan a wedding in the future.
The couple met while Chee Kam was playing for Manly and the former Sea Eagle is set to post the video reaction on Facebook.
"She had no idea it was coming and had this weird voice reaction in a high pitch tone but it was a great moment and I'm lucky enough have it on video now," Chee Kam said.
"She's been with me through plenty of ups and downs, especially at Manly when I had a lot of injuries there. She's my support system and I always lean on her. I couldn't be happier with this year."
Chee Kam makes a great point.
After struggling in stints with Canberra and Manly, a move to Concord has paid off for the Auckland-born native playing 17 games so far this season and securing some stability in his life for at least the next two years after extending his contract back in April.
In a showing of faith from both parties, Chee Kam re-signed with the joint venture nine days after the man who brought him to the club – Jason Taylor – was sacked three games into the season.
With a new-look squad set to assemble in 2018, positions are up for grabs under new coach Ivan Cleary and emerging players Matt Eisenhuth and Alex Twal are keeping teammates on their toes.
"It's been a crazy season but for me personally I think I've only missed one game and have tried to stay consistent. Ivan has brought a lot to this team and I'm just trying to learn each week," Chee Kam said.
"Ivan hasn't really had a blow-up yet and has been positive towards us. I think it's important for a lot of the young guys here to respond to that and impress him in the last six weeks with new players coming in for next year.
"I want a proper crack in the second row and probably had the most time there on the weekend. We put ourselves in a good position to win but just shoot ourselves in the foot with a couple of lapses in attack and defence."
