Gehamat Shibasaki has opened up about the night that saw him dropped from the Broncos' Round 27 clash against the Melbourne Storm - and the relief of winning back his teammates' trust.
The 27-year-old was stood down for one game after breaking Brisbane's no-drinking pact, a decision enforced by coach Michael Maguire and the club's senior playing group.
"I thought I might not be back, 100 per cent," Shibasaki told News Corp.
"I was disappointed in myself for what I did... I really let the boys down and the coaching staff."
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Despite the setback, Shibasaki refused to sulk. He threw himself into training knowing that he might not get an immediate recall.
"I was ready to do whatever it took to get the boys ready to prepare for [the Canberra] game if I wasn’t picked," he said.
"I trained really hard last week. I copped my punishment. I was ready for whatever the leadership group and Madge decided and I would back them 100 per cent if they didn’t want me back."
For Shibasaki, the hard work paid off. He was named in the side for Brisbane's thrilling qualifying final in the nation's capital, where they defeated the Raiders in extra time to secure a home prelim at Suncorp Stadium.
"When I got picked, I just wanted to put my best performance forward to pay the boys back," he said.
"We worked so hard to get to this position and now we are one game away. I’m so happy with that performance.
"They believed in me, so we went out there and got the tough win and I’m so proud of the boys.
"It was incredible. I have never played in a game like that.
"It’s all eyes forward for the next two weeks, get our prep right and go again. It’s my first preliminary final and I didn’t know whether to cry or cheer at the end of the game."
The turnaround was another achievement in what has been a remarkable year for Shibasaki, who began 2025 on a training contract before forcing his way into the Broncos' lineup and even earning a Queensland debut in the State of Origin decider.
Now, with his first preliminary final looming, the outside back insists that he's learned his lesson.
"No way will I make that mistake again," he said.
"Never again."