The thing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad would fear most if he had indeed broken his leg, like he thought, was not the long road to rehabilitation.
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The thing he would fear most is not being "a part of every second" of the Canberra Raiders' run to the NRL finals.
The next step on Canberra's path towards achieving something special leads them to Panthers Stadium, where they will meet the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.
But the Raiders will be sweating on the fitness of their star fullback as he nurses a swathe of bumps and bruises.
Nicoll-Klokstad spent the rest of his weekend icing and massaging his leg in a bid to aid his recovery following a gritty win over the Wests Tigers.
"We're building something special here, and I want to be a part of every second, every moment. I pray to God that I don't get any serious injuries this year," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"I actually thought I broke my leg [during the Tigers game], I went over and heard a crack. I just feared the worst.
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"I guess I was just lairing up a bit and having a bit of a sook, because it came alright.
"I was very relieved [when I realised it wasn't that bad]. A few bumps and bruises, feeling a lot better though after that win."
"I've just got to ice it up and see what happens."
Nicoll-Klokstad's inclusion would be a huge boost for a Raiders outfit looking to break into the top four when they travel to Sydney's west this weekend.
The Panthers have risen to seventh on the ladder on the back of a seven-game winning streak, having taken on all comers and sent them packing in a formidable run.
They pose a tough test for the methodical Raiders but Nicoll-Klokstad could be forgiven for looking one week further ahead - straight at Canberra's trip across the ditch.
Nicoll-Klokstad is relishing the chance to return to New Zealand but he knows looking any further than Penrith will do the Raiders no good.
For him, looking beyond Monday would be a stretch.
"I am excited. We can't look too far forward, even now I can't look too far forward. I've got to ice up and see how I pull up," Nicoll-Klokstad said.
"We can't look past Penrith, they're going really well. They've won seven in a row and it's going to be a really good game for us to see where we're at.
"After that, hopefully we get the win and I can look forward to going home."
Then, and only then, will the Raiders publicly set their sights on a two-week stretch which looms as a huge opportunity to stamp their credentials as a contender able to knock over the big three.
Canberra will host the Sydney Roosters before travelling to Melbourne following back-to-back road trips, setting them on a collision course with the competition heavyweight's on the eve of the finals.
While the formalities related to the 30th anniversary of the 1989 premiership win have drawn to a close, Nicoll-Klokstad says the greats of that era are driving today's group every week.
"It was really special," Nicoll-Klokstad said of Canberra's win over the Tigers to celebrate the anniversary with a host of former players watching on from the stands.
"For me, man, I just felt like I was shocked. I was looking at the legends of our club, and just listening to them reminisce about their good old days and what it means to be a Canberra Raider.
We're building something special here, and I want to be a part of every second, every moment
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
"I can see that here amongst our group. I really enjoyed the week [with the old boys around the club].
"I'm really happy we were able to get the win for them.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
