What started as a day of celebration thankfully ended as a day of celebration, but for Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon there was a whole range of emotions in between.
Things weren't going to script for the Sea Eagles against Penrith on Sunday in what was meant to be a special afternoon as the Brookvale faithful said farewell to Jason King and Glenn Stewart and paid tribute to Steve Matai in his 200th appearance.
It looked as though Penrith were about to gatecrash the party, but the fighting spirit that has become synonymous with the Sea Eagles came to the fore as they produced one of the club's best come-from-behind wins to knock over the Panthers on the stroke of full time.
Check out the match highlights v Panthers
Pressed on whether he felt jubilation or relief to get the result, Lyon admitted that it was "a bit of both".
"I know I was pretty happy myself as you could probably see out there. It was a bit of a weird game really."
In some ways, it was a game Lyon would rather forget. But the incredible finish ensured that it would remain etched in his memory for years to come.
The captain admitted it wasn't his finest hour in Manly colours but was proud of the team for showing enough heart to claw their way back into the contest.
"I kept thinking it couldn’t have gotten any worse," Lyon said.
"I had a shocker today, but the boys were good behind the try line there, talking a bit of sense and we hung in there."
Among the lowlights for Lyon was an intercept pass that led to Panthers centre Jamal Idris crossing the try line.
"I went to pass and dummy it and it still came out of my hand," Lyon said.
"So it’s not on my highlights reel that’s for sure."
