LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a truly rare appearance, Melbourne Storm legends Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, along with their wives Barb and Tara, seemed to have buried the hatchet at the recent NRL Hall of Fame ceremony.
The animosity that once existed between the former teammates was nowhere to be seen as they joined other modern day greats like Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess, and Benji Marshall in being inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame.
The sight of Smith and Cronk together, once great mates who led the Storm to glory during the 2000s and 2010s, was a sight to behold.
Their infamous falling out, which stemmed from Cronk's decision to leave the Storm for the Sydney Roosters, had put a strain on their relationship.
Smith's refusal to attend Cronk's wedding only added fuel to the fire, with reports suggesting that Smith was displeased with his former teammate's move to the Storm's arch-rivals.
However, Cronk maintained that his decision was made to be closer to his wife Tara, who was working in Sydney at the time.
When the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony, Smith and Barb were conspicuously absent.
But their appearance at the Hall of Fame ceremony hinted at a mending of fences, a truce between two legends of the game who had once been at odds.
Perhaps, in the world of Rugby League, old wounds can heal and friendships can be rekindled, even in the face of past disagreements.