It started two metres away from a television in the Cronk family home and where it finishes, not even he knows.
Ahead of his 250th game, Cooper Cronk's love affair with rugby league is as strong as ever.
The Melbourne halfback was looking back and forward on his place in the game on Wednesday morning.
He said the early glimpses of his heroes galvanised what he wanted to do.
"Watching guys like Allan Langer and Brad Fittler and guys like that play football and you just wanted to be a part of it," he said.
As romances go, this is true love.
Cronk said he was "super confident in my own skin" and contemplating his place in the game.
The game has returned his affection, rewarding him with a Dally M medal last year, 14 State of Origin appearances and the 2012 premiership.
Cronk said hard work above all else had given him the chance to clock up the milestone, against the Roosters on Saturday.
"I was quite naive and shy as a kid, I just thought an opportunity at the Melbourne Storm was going to land in my lap and I was going to play football," he said.
"It's a tremendous honour, to play 250 games at the one club and is a reminder of how lucky I am to wake up every day and play the sport that I love."
The Roosters game is likely to determine whether the Storm set about a premiership challenge from the top four.
Despite a cupboard full of awards, Cronk insists his best moment at the Storm could be in his future, and not in the rear-view.
"Maybe it hasn't happened yet," he said mischievously.
"Regardless of where we finish I have every faith we can play our best football and make an impact on this competition.
"Having been here and achieved what I want to achieve, I think there's more to come."
And while debate rages on whether those handed ASADA bans should be eligible for awards, the reigning Dally M holder wasn't keen to buy in.
"I have a few opinions on that but I really don't think it's my place to comment," he said.
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