Rugby league isn't just a game, it saves lives.
That was the declaration of Canterbury match-winner Moses Mbye after being swept up in the euphoria of his side's miracle NRL comeback victory over Newcastle on Sunday.
After Des Hasler's side came from 18-8 down with five minutes on the clock, Josh Reynolds was chaired off Belmore Sports Ground in chaotic scenes.
Mbye said the side dug deep to find something special for Reynolds, who's described as the heartbeat of the club and was making his last appearance at the Bulldogs' spiritual home.
You could not have scripted it better.
Marcelo Montoya jagged a four-pointer in the northern corner of the ground with four minutes to go, yet the Knights still looked headed for victory.
But Mbye charged down a Brock Lamb kick, scooped it up and ran 70 metres to complete arguably the most memorable finish of the last several years.
"You saw first-hand how much it meant to them and even I didn't realise how important rugby league is to this community," Mbye said.
"It's such a multicultural community and it's inspiring how many people it can bring together.
"I'd probably go as far as to say rugby league in this community saves lives."
There were chaotic scenes as thousands of fans flocked onto the ground shortly after fulltime to mob their heroes, in particular Reynolds.
The second siren, which is used to signify that the public can enter the playing arena, was accidentally sounded too early by ground staff and despite pleas from officials for fans to stay behind the fence, throngs of people swarmed onto the ground.
Mbye said it reinforced to him how much the game meant to the local area and how it can be a force for social change and positivity.
"That's how important he is to this neighbourhood," Mbye said of Reynolds
"That just shows what sort of influence he's had
"It's the sort of thing post-career that you remember the most. I don't think you forget this sort of stuff."
Of his match-winning chargedown play, Mbye said: "I've done it a couple of times and every time I've done it this year I've popped it up to the other team and they've gone through and scored.
"I just thought 'we're bloody down, I'll give it a crack'. It worked out for us."
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