Tears were shed from both sets of players after Catalans Dragons' 26-10 victory over Leigh which ensured another year in the top flight for a side boasting former NRL stars Greg Bird, Sam Moa, Krisnan Inu and Justin Horo.
Catalans coach Steve McNamara and his opposite number Neil Jukes both condemned the concept of the Million Pound Game which was introduced three years ago as part of the move to restore promotion and relegation to the game.
McNamara's side were indebted to Bird, whose return from suspension demonstrated the wisdom of the club's decision to fight for a reduction in his ban from four to three matches.
The Dragons, embroiled in a relegation fight despite finishing three places off the bottom of Super League, salvaged their spot with a second-half fightback highlighted by a brace of tries from fullback Lewis Tierney, but the celebrations were muted.
"There's lots of tears in the dressing room," McNamara said. "They're tears of relief, there was a release of a huge amount of tension from everybody involved.
"I thought our players showed huge respect at the end of the game and I was pleased about that.
"We probably produced our best performance of the season under the most extreme pressure."
Although the Million Pound Game once more generated an enormous amount of interest, McNamara and Jukes both called for the concept to be scrapped.
"If you want promotion and relegation, take the gloves off and have no salary cap," McNamara said. "Let the clubs spend what they want."
Jukes said: "This was all about not losing a game. The uncertainty surrounding this situation is ridiculous.
"You talk a lot about player welfare and mental health but that comes around job security so this is hypocritical of what we stand for.
"There's got to be a way for clubs to get up but ultimately people lose jobs and that's sickening. There are guys in the changing room who are tough men and they're crying."
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