Rarely has football ever mattered so little.
In simple terms, North Queensland were beaten 32-18 by the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
The Cowboys were gutsy. They twice fought back from double-figure margins but were ultimately out-muscled and outplayed.
With it, North Queensland’s shot at a maiden minor premiership is almost certainly gone.
Penrith now hold a six-point lead with three rounds to go, with a significant for-and-against advantage meaning they will surely finish first.
Coach Todd Payten was also unhappy over three refereeing calls, including one where Matt Lodge held Griffin Neame back in a scrum and Roosters hooker Sam Verrills scored.
Payten was insistent it didn’t cost his side the match, but against a club like the Roosters it didn’t help.
But after the two days North Queensland has endured following the death of former coach Paul Green, that all paled into insignificance.
Ten members of North Queensland’s team played under Green two years ago.
And bona fide Cowboy stars such as Valentine Holmes represented Queensland in the State of Origin arena when Green was in charge last year.
Flags flew at half-mast at the SCG, while the Cowboys were visibly moved during the minute’s silence before play.
“There’s just no real words to express what has happened … and how it has affected a lot of people in the rugby league community and families,” co-captain Jason Taumalolo said.
“I can’t imagine what (Green’s wife) Amanda and the kids are going through.
“Everyone should have someone to talk to regardless of how big or small a problem is. No-one should have to carry that sort of pressure around with them.”
Taumalolo said that message had been discussed among Cowboys players, with the NRL also providing welfare assistance.
“I’d like to think we are a tight-knit group and we are able to talk to each other, whenever we go through a tough time or something really difficult,” he said.
“I think everyone copes with loss and grief differently. I’m not sure about any of the other boys but everyone is affected differently.
“What has happened has really shocked and rattled most of us. It’s going to take some time to get over it.”
Playing on Saturday was never in question for the Cowboys but management is unsure how to treat the next few days.
The squad will return to Townsville on Sunday and play on Friday, but some days off remain an option ahead of another emotional week.
“Jase has just touched on how everyone is affected differently. Some will have a range of emotions at different times,” Payten said.
“Some will feel it immediately. Some feel it maybe a few days later, some might be a couple of weeks.
“It’s our job and my job to make sure that we keep an eye out for each other.”
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