He's the intimidating, freight train Raiders prop that has led from the front in Canberra's charge to the NRL finals this season, earning him his first Meninga Medal.
But when Joe Tapine was on stage to receive his player of the year award from Raiders legend Mal Meninga on Monday night, he was fighting the urge to burst into tears speaking about the driving force behind his success - his wife, Kirsten.
"She does everything - everything people don't see for footy players off-field... I don't...