In fairness, the immense pressures and media scrutiny that comes with such a role lends itself to paranoia. Other times, you have to admire the way the men under that immense pressure conduct themselves with class.

That was the case when Trent Barrett fronted the media early on Wednesday morning to address the Jackson Hastings saga.

It initially looked as if the Sea Eagles were taking the piss when they scheduled a media call for 7am with Api Koroisau, not known for his verbosity, the only senior player available to speak.

It looked every bit a smother of the issue that, whoever spoke that day, was going to have to address. That was until Barrett emerged and called an impromptu presser.

For those not in the know, this occurs in the NRL about once in the life of a sea turtle. In it, Barrett took full ownership of the decision to demote Hastings and acknowledged it was not the job of his players to answer for decisions they didn’t make.

It’s very often players less comfortable with the media – and therefore likely to say as little as possible – that are put in front of the cameras. It’s weak, but it’s something that happens far too often. 

Barrett shunned the weak option on Wednesday, and showed his true qualities as a leader of men.