As the last-second penalty from Wigan full-back Pat Richards drifted short in their Super League qualifying play-off battle two weeks ago, my phone started vibrating.
"Dirty Leeds! We'll have a re-match at Headingley in a fortnight - must be due a play-off win there," read the text message from an irate Wigan-supporting mate.
That was actually one of the more considered reactions I read in the wake of one of the most controversial and dramatic play-off contests in history.
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As his Hull KR team-mates dusted themselves down from ahead of another do-or-die trip to Wigan, Shaun Briscoe's main focus was on not screaming.
Two hours on the dentist's chair is not the ideal warm-up for one of the biggest weeks in Rovers' recent history, but being patched up for battle has become second nature to the 27-year-old.
I spoke to the former Hull FC and Wigan full-back as he collected his young daughter from just her second week at school, with the dentist's painkillers slowly wearing off from the previous day's trauma.
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Pretty much every Super League play-off series since the concept was first introduced has been "the most eagerly-anticipated".
So unwilling am I to break with tradition, I'm going to repeat that claim this year - and I doubt you'll find many who disagree.
The defending champions , a for the first time in history and an opening-round local derby provide the basic ingredients to whet the appetite of any sports fan.
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Anyone who questions rugby league's ability to attract a global audience should have been in Warrington's team hotel on Saturday night.
Attacking the free bar with formidable relish following , the Wolves boys were in terrific form.
After a thumping Challenge Cup defence in front of a sell-out crowd, Tony Smith's squad were world superstars for the night, and even one of Britain's most successful pop stars wanted in on the celebrations.
Rumours spread around the venue that was on his way to add his congratulations.
Cue hysterical excitement amongst the - and myself if I'm honest. I'll happily admit to a couple of Take That tracks among the guitar thrashings on my running playlist for the
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| 16:01 UK time, Thursday, 23 September 2010
Hi, I'm George Riley. You may have heard me flying the flag for our great game on Radio 5 live, where I now present the sport on the Breakfast show. I also pop up on television presenting the Breakfast sport on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One and Ö÷²¥´óÐã News. Raised in Yorkshire, rugby league has always been a big love for me. I hope to use this blog to share my insight and behind-the-scenes gossip from every game I go to. You can also follow me on .
