"No doubt, something like that, it's been a tough week," coach Michael Maguire said of Sutton. "He's obviously pretty passionate in everything he does in life ... As I've said many times, he's learnt a lot of lessons out of it. So have we all. We've put it behind us and it's about looking forward."

Asked if, with the benefit of hindsight, the club could have handled the matter differently, Maguire said: "I've had discussions and I've said my piece about that."

Towards the end of the opening quarter, the back-rower chased down and tackled Sam Obst just as the Northern Pride halfback appeared destined to score. However, he went on with it for too long and was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

Upon his return he set up his side's opening try, to winger Setefano Taukafa, with a perfectly weighted cross-field kick. Such has been his off-season.

It is some tale, but we have not heard his version of it, at least not the unabridged one. A captain's duties, apart from setting an example for the troops, tend to include addressing the media.