After coaching for more than 650 NRL games, Tim Sheens was entitled to think he'd seen and dealt with every crisis, drama and situation rugby league throws up.
Then along comes a day like last Sunday to sit him on his backside.
The death of Robbie Farah's mother Sonia hit the Tigers hard - very hard - and the coach was not immune to the emotion.
He was visibly upset at the post-match press conference, delivering a thoughtful and respectful response that put football in its rightful perspective.
"Rugby league is insignificant (at this time). We're just going to try and support Robbie and his family," Sheens said.
"It's about Robbie this week."
But somehow over the next few days, Sheens must get the players' minds back on the job of winning football matches.
There is a game to be played and won against Newcastle on Monday night.
That's not to trivialise death or to downplay the pain Farah and his teammates are feeling right now.
Understandably, football is the last thing they are probably thinking about.
But life - and the NRL schedule - marches on.
Former Penrith, NSW and Australian hardman Mark Geyer knows that empty feeling when tragedy strikes a football club.
He was at the Panthers when teammate Ben Alexander was killed in a car accident, on this day (June 21) in 1992.
It devastated the club, with Geyer and future brother-in-law (and Ben's brother) Greg Alexander unable to play out the season.
"Any death is terrible so you can't compare Ben's passing to Robbie's mum, but I remember football being the last thing on your mind," Geyer told Sportal.
"Brandy and I didn't play again that year, even though the club threatened to sack me if I didn't return.
"You're just not thinking straight. Playing is okay but it's the training and the down time when you're thinking 'what am I doing here'?
"My mum is my best friend and I can't imagine losing her, so I can only imagine what Robbie is going through.
"He'll come back when he is good and ready. Rugby league's not important at the moment."
Farah asked to be named in the Tigers team to play Newcastle but he's no guarantee of playing.
Sheens will leave the call up to his skipper.
"With Timmy there, the Tigers could not be in better hands," Geyer said.
"He's a good man manager and communicator. I'm sure he will give Robbie all the time and space he needs.
"Only Robbie knows when his head will be right to play again."