Finals football is North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt's time to shine and he is again primed to confirm his deserved reputation as a big game specialist.
The 30-year-old will face Cronulla in Saturday night's NRL qualifying final in Sydney with an enviable record in September football.
He has scored eight tries in 13 finals appearances, including his memorable 80th-minute four-pointer in the 2015 grand final.
Why is Feldt so good in big games?
"The reason why I play the game is to play in finals at this time of year. If you are not doing your job and stepping up to the plate in these big games there is something wrong with you," he told AAP.
"I don't know why I score so many tries in finals. I guess I am always jogging on the spot at the right time. It is just good being on the end of such a great backline that we have at the Cowboys."
Feldt's stunning effort in the decider against Brisbane seven years ago sent the game into extra time, where halfback Johnathan Thurston landed the winning field goal.
Feldt's crucial try is still a moment he draws strength and confidence from.
"It was a pivotal moment in my career ... a real turning point that put me on the right track," he said.
"After that year I played every game of 2016 and nearly every game of 2017.
"It's always good for me to look back and realise how far I have come since winning the inaugural premiership with the club. That will always sit well with me."
Feldt has a superb relationship with his centre partner Peta Hiku, who told AAP that Feldt was a joy to play with because "he is just as good off the ball as he is with it".
The Cowboys winger, who has scored 11 tries in 2022 and 115 times in 10 seasons for the Townsville club, has superb positional play and knows exactly how to time his runs.
"Peta is a lot different to the pretty straight up and down centres I have had recently, and more mature as well," Feldt said.
"He brings a different attacking skill to our backline so it has been so enjoyable playing outside him.
"He is really good in defence as well so I don't get stuck trying to defend two players like I used to."
The Cowboys have defied the critics who mostly did not rate them a chance of figuring in the title race.
"On paper our team is just as good as any we have fielded in past finals series, but this year we have a really good mix of young and old," Feldt said.
"Everyone has bought into the game model that (coach) Todd Payten has introduced."
