LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby league fans can finally rest easy, as the mystery of why Tallis Duncan always starts games with his signature headgear on but ends up without it has been revealed.
The South Sydney rising star, just 22 years old, has been catching the eye of fans with his unique game day routine.
While some speculated that it was a dare or simply for comfort, Duncan set the record straight, harking back to his junior footy days in the park.
It turns out, it was his mum who instilled the rule of wearing headgear for safety reasons, making it a non-negotiable part of his uniform.
"I've been rocking the white headgear since my early days playing footy, so it's become second nature to me.
It's like my lucky charm, along with my boots," Duncan shared.
"But once the game kicks off and I'm in the thick of it, that's when I shed the headgear and really get down to business."
In true Aussie spirit, Duncan's headgear has become as essential as a pair of well-worn boots, showing that sometimes even the smallest habits can have a big impact on a player's performance on the field.