During a recent match at Allianz Stadium, Latrell Mitchell delivered a stunning tackle that echoed memories for former player Brett Rodwell.
Rodwell watched as Mitchell collided with his son, Toby, just minutes before the game concluded.
Though Toby managed to rise and leave the field, he later did not pass his head injury assessment due to the severity of the tackle.
Rodwell, who played as a centre for the Illawarra Steelers and earned a sole cap for New South Wales in 1995, reflected on the incident.
He described the tackle as "brutal but a fair tackle," noting that while it was jarring, his wife was more affected than he was.
Rodwell's experience with significant hits in the game made watching his son's involvement particularly poignant, recalling his own encounters with fierce players.
This moment highlights the physical intensity that characterizes matches, as well as the personal connections that players maintain with their families amid the action.