If there's a physical embodiment of Simon Mannering's no-frills rugby league approach, maybe it's his scraggy facial fungus.
Over the years, it has served as evidence that appearances mean little to the humble, hard-working Warriors stalwart. He's never going to pose for GQ magazine, so no need to keep that stumble under control.
As the veteran closes in on his 300th game for the club - and retirement at the end of the season - his teammates have desperately tried to honour their former captain by growing their own beards out.
Some have done better than others, some haven't quite carried it off.
"Someone in the office sort of tossed it up as an idea," recalls Mannering. "Then Shauny [Johnson] sort of pushed it.
"A few guys lasted a couple of weeks and they had had enough - and I don't blame them."
Flying winger David Fusitu'a admits the look isn't as easy to maintain as Mannering has made it seem for so long.
"It's probably not my best feature," he admits. "It's the first time I'm growing it and it's something small we can do for him as a team.
"I'm looking forward to cleaning it off afterwards. My understanding is we keep it until after his game, but I might have got mixed up."
If he's handing out awards, Mannering nominates another club legend for special praise - assistant coach Stacey Jones.
"Stacey grows a beard in about three days, so he's probably impressed me the most," he says.
At the other end of the scale, reserve Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has put in a big effort for little reward.
"I don't think he's shaved all year and still doesn't have a beard," chuckles Mannering. "He said he started in January, growing a beard for me, so it will be good to see that come to fruition… maybe when he's 40."
In the spirit of the occasion, Newshub cast an eye over the best and the rest of the Warriors whiskers.
Mannering - the benchmark
If you look back over his team mug shots over his career, the beard is not quite a constant, but it's certainly a regular fixture.
It cries out, "I don't really care how this looks, I'm just going to leave it here for a while".
It's not particularly pretty and it's not intended to be.
Stick a parrot on them, call them 'Long John'
These guys actually transcend Mannering's facial fuzz.
They're obviously experienced groomers and possibly should teach their teammate a thing or two about that aspect of his stubble game, before he disappears into the real world.
Tohu Harris continues a Kiwi tradition of Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Aquaman) impersonations, following in the footsteps of NBA star Steven Adams.
Salt and pepper
Coach Stephen Kearney pushes the line between scruffy homeless guy and silver fox, depending on whether he's crookedly wearing his Warriors beanie.
Mannering's 300 or the playoffs - whichever is the actual deadline - probably can't come quickly enough for 'Mooks', who enjoys a full head of magnificent hair, but reveals a few bald spots in his beard.
"I got put on the spot and made a commitment, so I've got to follow it through," he shrugs. "I'm in uncomfortable territory."
Most promising
Shaun Johnson probably will do a GQ cover one day, but has shown his versatility with a convincing bearded effort.
"What I can grow of it," he laments. "I've done my best."
Nothing to be ashamed of there, son.
Bum fluff
They gave it a shot, but came up way short of the mark.
These guys should give up the fight - if they haven't already - and revert back to 'baby-face assassin' status as soon as possible.
Someone missed the memo
Obviously, some follicle fertility issues with this head.
Newshub.
