It was the emotional moment that says a lot about how close the Cotric family is.
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Nick, the Canberra Raiders star, was happy to make the NRL grand final for his dad.
Not just because of the journey he'd been on to get there. But the journey his father David had been on this year as well.
While Cotric was experiencing the highs and lows of State of Origin, injury and suspension, his dad was going through chemotherapy.
But with the Raiders just 80 minutes away from winning a premiership, David's battle with cancer is over.
It allowed father and son to enjoy a special moment together after Canberra had beaten South Sydney, winning their way into Sunday's decider.
"All my family and friends are all going up. Mum and dad are excited, my brother too. It's exciting times," Cotric said.
"They're very proud and they just can't wait to go up there and watch their son play. It's a good feeling.
"My dad goes, 'You're in the GF, you've been dreaming of this moment since you were a little kid'.
"It was a bit emotional, I was happy for my dad."
But it had been a tough journey getting there.
Cotric made his Origin debut for the NSW Blues, but then an ankle injury and suspension for a dangerous tackle meant he missed games two and three.
At the same time his father was struggling with problems of his own.
"It was pretty tough. When you see him going through that chemo stage - no hair, no energy - it was pretty sad to see him like that," Cotric said.
"But he battled through and he's through it now. He's sweet now. He's free of cancer so that's a good thing.
"It was tough at that stage, but he's worked hard and he's got out of that so it's good to see him upbeat now.
"It was a bit of a rollercoaster. But that's life. Things like that are going to happen.
"You've just got to be positive. You can't be negative about that. Lucky enough everyone's good."
Cotric can't believe how quickly everything has happened.
In just his third season he's not only made his Origin debut, but now he's playing in a grand final.
There's potential Kangaroos honours to follow as well.
And if he got the chance to celebrate a premiership with his dad?
"It would make it very special," he said.
NRL GRAND FINAL
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
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: 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili.
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: 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.