He's a self-described ''weird fella'' with one of the strangest rituals in the NRL.
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From the moment the footy boots go on to the time he's in the shower after a game, Josh McCrone's mouthguard remains firmly clamped inside his jaw.
It only gets removed once everything else is done and he's about to walk out of the change room.
Good luck trying to pry it away from the tenacious Canberra Raiders five-eighth.
His teammates, his manager and even the lady who inspired this bizarre tick - his mum - have been unsuccessful in getting McCrone to change his ways.
Don't be surprised to see him being interviewed on Fox Sports after Sunday's match with the Penrith Panthers at Centrebet Stadium with his mouthguard still in.
It's happened before - sideline eye Andy Raymond could barely understand what McCrone was saying when he was quizzed after a man-of-the-match performance.
McCrone doesn't know what all the fuss is about.
He's been doing it ever since his mum passed on some timely advice after he left it in the dressing sheds after a junior game when he was 12.
''After that mum said leave it in, that way you won't lose it,'' he said.
''A couple of days later I had to play for the school side and I wasn't allowed to play.
''I keep it in until I'm ready to go, it's the last thing I take out.''
McCrone's list of strange habits stretches further than just his mouthguard.
He always runs through the tunnel leading on to the ground immediately behind the captain to ensure he's not the last man out.
But it is at home that his dogged attitude on the field rises to the surface.
''Everything's got its spot in the house,'' McCrone said. ''Courtney thinks I'm a fairly anal character.
''She married me so she knows I'm a bit of a weird fella anyway.''
Superstitions are commonplace among the sporting fraternity.
Former Newcastle Knights winger Adam MacDougall earned his ''Mad Dog'' nickname for a pre-match routine which included talking to his legs before games.
Other players are renowned for not changing their underwear while they're on a winning streak. It's not just players who have superstitions - English cricket umpire David Shepherd took centre stage for lifting his leg whenever the score reached 111 or multiples thereof.
The challenge is to back up such oddities on the field, and McCrone has definitely done that.
He has risen to the challenge of becoming the senior contributor in the halves, forming a strong combination with halfback Sam Williams in the absence of the injured Terry Campese.
The 25-year-old possesses a damaging running game and is fourth in line break assists this year, behind only Johnathan Thurston, Benji Marshall and Cooper Cronk - all of whom have played on the international stage.
McCrone handled his own representative duty with aplomb, not looking out of place when he was a late call-up to the Country team for the annual clash against City in May. This from a player who left the Raiders to take up an offer with the Panthers in 2007, only to return two years later after being unable to crack first-grade.
The move has been a resounding success - McCrone missing just two games in the past three seasons to establish himself in the NRL.
''I feel more comfortable in my role now, just a bit more experienced,'' McCrone said.
''You're going to grow in any role when you're there long enough. I've played enough first-grade games to know what needs to be done.''