It’s revived Canberra’s season and is credited with steeling South Sydney’s NRL premiership charge, but there’ll be no alcohol ban for the finals-bound Cronulla.
When gun Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke was dumped for breaching the club’s booze ban, his co-captain Michael Crocker argued it was something most top-eight sides would be doing.
Not in the shire however, where players are treated as adults by coach Shane Flanagan, according to their No.9 Isaac de Gois.
“We’re all adults at the club and we know when we can and can’t have a drink,” de Gois told AAP ahead of the Sharks clash with North Queensland on Sunday.
“Flanno hasn’t said anything and I don’t think he has to either.
“It’s just individual responsibility, that’s what it comes down to.
“We’re all adults and it just comes down to the individual and if they want to do the wrong thing, I’m sure the club will do what they thinks right, if something does happen down the track.”
De Gois, who was hooker under Ricky Stuart when the Sharks last made the finals in 2008 and also played September footy with Rick Stone at the helm of Newcastle in 2009, said he had never been told by a coach to steer clear of the amber nectar.
“Not that I can remember,” he explained.
“I don’t think any coach has ever said ‘don’t go out and have a beer’.
“I think it just comes down to individual responsibility and knowing when you can and can’t have one.
“One or two won’t hurt, but it’s obviously the ones that keep you out until early hours in the morning that you have to look out for.
“I think it just comes down to individual responsibility at the end of the day.”
The Cowboys match will serve as a double farewell for Sharks centre Colin Best and veteran Cowboy Aaron Payne, who will both be playing their final regular season matches.
De Gois paid tribute to Payne, who will retire with over 200 games to his name.
“He’s a great player. I’ve watched him and learned from him,” de Gois said.
“Hopefully he doesn’t have too good a night and we can upset it a bit. But he’s a great player and he’s done a lot in the game.”