Ryan Papenhuyzen has swapped grand final week for a day on the fairways, but he is not about to let anyone misunderstand his decision.
Standing on the first tee at Wollongong Golf Club, the former Melbourne Storm fullback has a new analogy for life. "Golf's just like the game of life, I reckon," he says. "You go through your journey of bad shots, but if you don't respond to it well, then it's going to be two bad shots, and it just compounds. It's four hours of pretty much living out what I know life to be at the moment at 28 years old."
A year ago, Papenhuyzen was preparing for what would be his last NRL game, a grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. Now, he is addressing the whispers and speculation about his sudden departure from the game.
Yes, he confirms, he is definitely retired. Yes, he turned down a million-dollar contract with the Storm at the peak of his powers to play golf and work out what makes him happy. No, he has no plans to play another minute of footy. And no, he is not a rugby union convert in waiting.
"I learned everything I needed to learn out of rugby league," he says, adding that he has no regrets.
The 2020 grand final winner and Clive Churchill Medalist is now taking on Wollongong's course off a handicap of 11, evidently enjoying a slower pace that allows him to reflect on his journey.
His decision to walk away at the top is rare in professional sport, and Papenhuyzen seems at peace with it. "People just don't believe it," he suggests, but his message is clear: retirement is final.