Jarrod O'Connor refuses to panic as play-offs beckon for off-colour Leeds Rhinos
Most players would have been looking for a dark room but Jarrod O'Connor was still smiling.
An hour and a half after Leeds Rhinos' worrying defeat to Hull FC, the hooker was among the players taking time to sign autographs and chat to supporters during the club's traditional lap of appreciation.
A result like that might have been enough to put a dampener on the final game of the regular season but a smile is never far away from O'Connor's face.
And perhaps that made him the perfect person to offer a positive perspective on a Leeds side facing some difficult questions ahead of the play-offs.
The Rhinos had the League Leaders' Shield snatched from their grasp by Wigan Warriors and have lost three games on the spin at Headingley, where they had previously been unbeaten in 2026.
On the face of it, they are losing momentum right when they need it most.
But the beauty of Super League is that the biggest prize is still up for grabs.
As far as O'Connor is concerned, the slate has been wiped clean.
"It's a different competition," said the 25-year-old.
"The regular season is done now. We knew that it was highly unlikely we'd get the League Leaders' Shield after last week because we didn't expect Wigan to slip up against Catalans.
"It's a knockout competition and we've got to pick ourselves up. Overall, it's still been one of the best seasons we've had here for a long time.
"The last time we won the League Leaders' Shield was 2015 and we've been nowhere near second since that time. We're very happy with the season overall, barring a few disappointing slip-ups."
The team to catch for so long, Leeds were pipped at the post by the irrepressible Warriors.
A first home defeat of the campaign against Leigh Leopards was quickly followed by a drubbing at the hands of Wigan in what was effectively a Shield decider.
To compound matters, they then suffered a shock loss to Hull FC in a game that offered an opportunity to restore some confidence before the play-offs.
O'Connor, however, challenged the suggestion that Leeds were still feeling the effects of a damaging result against Wigan.
"I wouldn't say there was a hangover," he said.
"Physically, I thought we were very good – it was just concentration errors. They're very easy things to fix.
"It's not like it's an effort thing, which would obviously be a lot worse."
A home date with struggling Hull appeared to be the perfect antidote to the disappointment of Wigan.
Instead, the Black and Whites produced an inspired performance to back up Brad Arthur's theory that teams raise their game for the Rhinos.
"That's a privilege, really," added O'Connor. "Everyone wants to beat us.
"That's what we want. We want to be the best team and for everyone to come after us.
"Unfortunately, Hull have played a couple of their best games against us this year.
"It's something we need to fix up going into next year and hopefully get the League Leaders' Shield."
In the here and now, Leeds are resting up after an intense regular season. However disappointing the ending, they still secured a top-two finish and the coveted week off.
Even the indefatigable O'Connor has welcomed the break.
"It's probably come at a good time," he admitted.
"We feel like we've earned it. We've probably let ourselves down with a few slip-ups, which cost us the league, but the main trophy is still to play for and it's still anyone's game."
The questions have been mounting for the Rhinos, a club without a win in a knockout game against Super League opposition since 2022.
But despite the weight of history and recent missteps, belief inside the camp remains intact.
"We know when we nail our stuff, there's nobody who can beat us," said O'Connor.
"When we play our best rugby, like Brad said last week, we beat Wigan and we know that.
"It's just about getting fresh now and making sure we nail our jobs for two games.
"We've seen games this year where Cas and Huddersfield beat Wigan. Cas have beaten us. Hull have beaten us twice. You can't write anyone off."
While Leeds are fully focused on a Headingley semi-final next week, their opponents must still navigate an energy-sapping eliminator.
The Rhinos will face the highest-ranked winners, meaning Hull KR are the only side they cannot meet ahead of the opening round of the play-offs.
For O'Connor, the weekend off means the rare luxury of watching the drama unfold from the comfort of his own armchair.
"I'm quite excited as a rugby fan, knowing we can relax and just sit back and watch," he said as Wakefield Trinity gear up for a home tie against Leigh and Rovers prepare to face Warrington Wolves on the road.
"There are some exciting games and we'll get ready to see who we're going to play the week after."