It is the junior grand final moment between two rival clubs that formed a career-changing bond between the latest pair of NRL rookies unearthed at Penrith.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A brawl had erupted in an under-16s decider between St Clair Comets and Minchinbury Jets when Stephen Crichton opted to take matters in his own hands.
But just as the Comets goal kicker loaded up to throw a punch, he was quickly plucked away by Jets forward Spencer Leniu.
"He pulled me back because he knew we had an SG Ball season coming up (for Penrith) and he didn't want me to miss out," Crichton, now 18, told AAP.
"He was just telling me to be smart because he knew that we were going into the same Penrith team and he didn't want me to get suspended."
Leniu, also 18, remembered how, after a fiercely fought season, the grand final had gone down to the wire and the contest had flared up late.
"He was in there getting amongst it and I just thought, he's got a real big future; and I didn't want all that stuff to ruin that for him," Leniu said.
"So I pulled him aside.
"It took a lot of effort to pull him off, he's a real strong bloke. But I was lucky enough to pull him away from all that.
"I was lucky enough to be there for him.
"Those are real throwback moments that you cherish forever."
Almost three years on and the pair made their emotional debut together in the Panthers' shock win over Cronulla last week.
Having also attended renowned rugby league school Patrician Brothers Blacktown together, more than 300 friends and family of Crichton and Leniu attended the game.
And they'll get to do it again after being selected for Friday's match against Brisbane, with the finals hopes of both teams in the balance.
Crichton said he'd never forget the day Leniu had his back.
"I always tell him thank you for that moment because I know every time I hit the field and he's next to me, he's got my back and I have his as well," Crichton said.
Australian Associated Press
