Ask Sia Soliola why he spends most Monday mornings serving breakfast at a soup kitchen and his answer is simple.
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"When I'm playing for the Canberra Raiders, I know in depth what it's really about in terms of tradition, who was here before us, and who we're playing for," the beloved veteran said.
There is feeling behind every word, for Soliola is the kind of person who shaves his head to raise more than $50,000 for charity, serves food at a homeless shelter, and drives a distraught stranger around the streets to help her look for stolen belongings.
He can be found feeding the homeless at the Canberra City Uniting Church early morning centre most weeks, hair tucked into a beanie with a smile on his face.
The 33-year-old Raiders front-rower missed this week because his kids were feeling "a bit rough" - so he would love to have something extra to bring to the people next time around.
For those people will be in the back of his mind when Soliola and the Raiders take on the Sydney Roosters in the NRL grand final at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.
"That's one of the hardest things, because you just want to go in there and see them and have a yarn with them," Soliola said.
"They'll want to wish you good luck and all the best and give their input. Hopefully the next time I go back, we'll have the trophy with us and we can all take photos. Fingers crossed.
"It was a bit tough this week, especially with the kids. The kids were a bit rough this weekend. That's one of the balances, but they're always really good with it as well.
"I just make it when I can. They're good and the patrons are good as well."
Soliola is one of four finalists for the Ken Stephen Medal alongside Corey Norman, Josh Aloiai and Agnatius Paasi, with the winner to be announced at the NRL Dally M awards on Wednesday night.
It is fitting recognition for one of the finest people you could hope to meet. Though Soliola isn't looking for recognition. He simply wants to know who he is playing for when he pulls on his Raiders jersey.
"When I was over in England there was a big connection between St Helens, not only as a club but the town itself and what it generated between the club and the community," Soliola said.
"I found when I was over there, when I actually connected with the community, when I played, I knew who I was playing for.
"I was not only just playing for your mates and the club, you're actually playing for a wider region and you learn what it really means to a lot of people and the people that are in the network.
"When I came to Canberra, I really wanted to understand not just the club, but Canberra as a whole.
"That's not just the supporters and fans, but the wider community."
The Raiders will make their way to Sydney on Wednesday with Canberra fans being encouraged to line the streets and see the team off with a Viking clap.
You won't miss them either - it's a bit hard to miss the Viking horn leading the bus up the Hume highway.
"It's great that we can take a part of us up there to Sydney," Soliola said.
"You've got to acknowledge the game for acknowledging what we're doing down here in Canberra and really supporting that aspect of our game, and what it means to us as Canberrans."
NRL GRAND FINAL
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris.