Brent Tate was tossing his young son Kyden in the air in a crowded dressing room and catching him with the same safe hands that defused NSW's bombing raids during Queensland's State of Origin game-one win.
Tate's impressive comeback to Origin following a third knee reconstruction was a feel-good story amid the high drama of all-in brawling and controversial sinbins and tries at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
As Tate hugged and kissed his little boy, his wife took pictures for the family album to show Kyden when he's older and his father has retired.
While Tate, 30, was grateful just to be back in a maroon jumper after fearing his latest injury in 2010 may have been the end of the road, his experience shone through with a near-flawless performance.
"I must admit it took me a little while to get into it," he said of a contest teammate Billy Slater rated among the quickest of the 18 Origins he's played.
