With the AFL Grand Final set to draw big crowds the day before, the ultimate NRL match for 2017 will be a similar spectator spectacle between North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm.

Australia’s passion for professional sport is set to go off this weekend yet you might have missed one of the more unusual passions associated with NRL during the past few seasons.

As Eternity reported last year, rugby players from opposing teams have been praying together, before and after games. With NRL Grand Final fever causing such a stir, take a few moments to look beyond the on-field highs and lows, to what supports and unites many players in the NRL community.