John Asiata has a newborn baby just three weeks old, but he isn't changing nappies. It's not that he wants to dodge the task every new parent dreads – it's just that his busted and broken hand has made it impossible.

"I can't actually change them," the Cowboys prop laughs, hoping to nurse his injury through one more week to the grand final. "The baby is only three weeks old and I don't change nappies at home, I pretty much just chill. I try to do the dishes when I can, but I struggle."

It might be the perfect excuse to duck out of his household responsibilities, but Asiata's injury means he's doing not much apart from playing clutch finals games for North Queensland at the moment.

Jersey? He can't take it off without help. Strapping? No idea how to unwind it. Boots? Cowboys chief executive Greg Tonner did the honours last weekend.