Tino Fa'asuamaleaui recently shared an emotional reflection on his Game 2 victory, a win that held immense significance for him.
His primary goal on Wednesday night was straightforward: to secure a victory that would level the series.
However, this win transcended the typical outcomes of a match.
Just days before the game, on Saturday morning, Tino experienced a profound loss as his father, Fereti, succumbed to cancer.
Choosing to stay behind, Tino joined his teammates in Melbourne on Monday rather than traveling with them on Friday.
Upon informing the Maroons about his father's passing, there was no inclination to withdraw from the match.
Instead, he expressed to coach Billy Slater that he wanted to play to honor his father's legacy.
"It means so much," he shared with Nine following the game.
"Just to come out here and play the sport that I loved growing up."
"All the sacrifices my dad and my family made for me to be here, it was just so good to go out there and do what I love."