The grand final ring given to Lindsay Collins by Trent Robinson has sat untouched on the forward’s shelf for the past year.
He wore it briefly after the Roosters’ win over Melbourne in the 2018 decider but it didn’t feel right.
It was his – but it wasn’t.
Collins was the hard luck story to the Cooper Cronk fairytale.
Told the halfback was a one per cent hope of playing, the young Queenslander was a chance of playing right up until the day before the game.
Then came the Cronk miracle.
“It’s a grand final. You’ve got to put your best team on the park,” Collins told Sporting News on Monday.
“During the week Robbo said, ‘you’re a 99 per cent chance of playing so get ready’.
“Coops got a Hail Mary but you couldn’t really be disappointed.
“We got to put our best team on the park and that’s what got us the result in the end.”
Robinson sought Collins out in the crowded Roosters dressing-room and handed over his premiership ring, apologising for having to cut the young forward on match eve.
The 23-year-old broke down, overcome by emotion.
Collins treasures the ring but will never wear it.
“Trent gave it out of the kindness of his heart and he felt like I deserved it and I will forever be grateful,” Collins said.
“But as nice a gesture as it was, it just doesn’t feel like I’ve earned it.
“It’s just sitting on the shelf at home. I haven’t opened the box since last year.
“It will be mean a lot, lot more if I can get one myself.”
CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE: Sydney Roosters should be celebrated, not denigrated
Cruelly, it looks as though Collins will again miss out on the chance to receive a ring of his own.
The return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension and Jake Friend’s expected comeback from injury means there is no room for Collins in the Roosters’ 17 to meet Canberra in Sunday’s grand final.
The former is philosophical about his fate.
He said: “I’m only into my third year and I’ve played in two prelim finals.
“My career’s only going to get better - that’s the way I’m looking at it.
“We’ve got an awesome forward pack and they’ve been consistent and reliable the whole year.
“I’ll get myself ready in case it (selection) happens and, if it doesn’t, I will support the boys any way I can.”
I'M READY: Jake Friend confident that he will play in decider
Asked how much it would hurt to miss the cut again, Collins replied: “I probably won’t fully understand it until later in my career.
“Hopefully I get my chance at some stage.”