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But first… breakfast.

Breakfast here at the hotel is a buffet – one they have to keep well stocked, because all the players and the team staff eat at the same time. It’s nice though. I think one of the things I love the most about rugby league is that it’s like a family. Sure, you have members that don’t get on, like Eddy and Jamie, but ultimately everyone loves the sport, and cares about each other. Look at the Lions’ home ground, all the photos and history on the walls behind the scenes – how is that different from your mum having your baby pics and graduation photo on her wall? Look at how Bryan has been with me too, giving me a job, giving me a place to live even. The Lions are a family and I’m loving being a part of it.

‘You’re taking the piss,’ I hear Jamie snap from over by the fruit juice station.

I glance over and see him and Eddy, clearly having a heated conversation. For God’s sake, I’ve only been awake half an hour. Are we doing this already? On a match day? I know it’s only a warm-up game, but it sets the tone, and it’s on TV. They should be trying to make a good impression.

I can tell that Eddy is pissed off from his body language. And Jamie always wears his heart on his sleeve.

A few people around are obviously listening in, although they’re trying to pretend they’re obliviously eating their breakfast. Whatever the boys are doing, they can’t do it in here.

‘You’re the one who brought it up,’ Eddy replies.

‘You knew exactly what you were doing last night,’ Jamie claps back.

‘Give over,’ Eddy says with a scoff.

Jamie laughs, although I don’t think it’s because he finds Eddy’s words funny.

‘I’m not the one parading through the hotel half naked with a girl,’ Jamie points out.

Okay, yeah, time to intervene.

Eddy sees me approaching them over Jamie’s shoulder. He smiles briefly, but then he sees my face.

Jamie turns, realising I’ve been listening, and for a second they both go quiet.

‘Breakfast and a show, eh?’ I say sarcastically. ‘Can we pop out for a minute, please?’

‘Yeah,’ Eddy replies.

‘Fine,’ Jamie adds.

‘This way,’ I tell them.

There are moments when I still feel like an imposter at this job. I know less about rugby league than anyone around me, much less how to deal with the players. But right now, with these two in front of me, I know exactly what I need to do, and I’m going to do it, all feelings aside.

I lead them out of the restaurant and along the corridor to where the function rooms are, ignoring the glances from hotel staff setting up for the afternoon. There are several function rooms on this floor, most of them empty at this time of day – I know, because we did a press conference here the other day – so it doesn’t take me long to find a vacant one.

I hold the door open. Jamie walks in first, with Eddy right behind him.

I close it behind us.

‘Right, what is going on?’ I ask.

Jamie turns towards Eddy.

‘Ask him.’

‘I’m asking both of you,’ I reply.

Bloody hell, they’re like teenage boys, not grown men.

Eddy runs one hand over his jaw. ‘He’s annoyed about last night,’ he says, cutting to the chase.

‘That’s only half the story,’ Jamie insists. ‘He came into breakfast acting all smug, smugger than usual, like he’d won something, and when I asked what the two of you did yesterday, he made a face.’

‘No, I didn’t,’ Eddy scoffs.