Naufahu Whyte says Spencer Leniu proved his critics wrong in the Sydney Roosters' Grand Final triumph, paying tribute to the teammate he credits with helping shape him on and off the field.
Speaking to ESPN after the victory over Newcastle, Whyte praised Leniu's performance and offered a personal perspective on his fellow prop and roommate.
"People see him as a villain of this game, but I see him as my brother," Whyte said. "He's taught me a lot, helped me be the man that I am today.
"He probably brought out a side of me that I don't really show."
Whyte said Leniu had "proven all the haters and all the journalists wrong once again", praising his contribution to the premiership victory.
"He showcased why he is still one of the best props in this game," Whyte said.
Whyte's tribute came after a physical performance of his own against the Knights, an assignment he approached knowing the occasion demanded another level from him.
"I had to dig deep," he said. "It's a Grand Final. This is all you have, man. So I had to make sure I put my best foot forward."
Whether carrying the ball or making a tackle, Whyte wanted to ensure he gave everything to the opportunity he had spent years imagining.
"I definitely had to take my game to that next level tonight," he said. "Full credit to the boys. I just got to keep going about my business."
For Whyte, the premiership fulfilled an ambition that began while he was still at school, watching the Roosters' 2018 and 2019 grand final victories from his couch.
Already part of the club at the time, he dreamed of one day experiencing what those players were celebrating.
During the week before his own decider, he returned to those matches to picture himself in their position.
"Throughout this whole week, I've been watching the 2018, 2019 Grand Finals," Whyte said. "I've just been envisioning myself, hopefully, being in that position, and tonight I get to live it.
"I've been enjoying every bit of it. I'm grateful to be here."
With a premiership ring in his hand, Whyte could finally understand the feeling past winners had struggled to explain to him.
"I was just at home on my couch [in 2018 and 2019], watching the boys go about their business and get their work done," he said. "I was already with the Roosters at the time, so I was just dreaming of being in this position one day and just knowing how it felt. This is a dream come true for me."
Yet his thoughts were already turning towards what it would take to return.
Asked about building a legacy among the leading props of his generation, Whyte focused on improving his contribution to the team.
"Honestly, for me, brother, now it's what's next?" he said. "That's my mentality. What can I do better next time? What can I do to get back in this position again?
"I enjoy it tonight, but my mind is already on what's next."
Individual recognition, he said, would have to follow the work.
"I don't really look at the status of the greatest prop," Whyte said. "As long as I can go out there and do my job and do my work for this team, and if they see me that way, then it's a pleasure and it's an honour.
"But I don't go looking for no statuses."
While Whyte was reluctant to boast too much about his growing rugby league resume, fans and experts alike began praising the star prop for an all-time Grand Final performance as soon as the final buzzer sounded.