Luke Lewis’ ability to stay clean off the field is matched only by his willingness to get dirty on it

OUTSIDE of the Immortals, the 300 Club is everything. A true proving ground for champions. With Luke Lewis the proof.

Luke Lewis waves to the crowd as he runs on to play his 300th game.

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GOOD blokes don’t just finish first.

They finish past 300.

Call it one of those rarely reported truths in rugby league.

Hidden, as they so often are, behind the negative headlines and neck tattoos.

But then a bloke like Luke Lewis reaches that most elite of clubs.

Three-bloody-hundred.

A mungos Valhalla.

Some feat considering the average NRL player, he disappears still able to count career games on his hands.

Luke Lewis waves to the crowd as he runs on to play his 300th game.

So what does it mean for Lewis now that, finally, he’s in?

Understanding that some men, they’re born for Club 300.

God gifting so much to legends like Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Terry Lamb ... well, it’s why the rest of us cramp up walking into the bottle shop.

But then you look at so many other names inked onto that list.

Fellas like Johnny Morris, Brent Kite and Nathan Hindmarsh. Or Steve Price, Luke Priddis, even Petero Civoniceva.

A ‘No Dickheads’ policy if ever there was one.

“Ah, you’ve probably got a point,’’ Lewis grinned, the triple century reached. “Although honestly, I haven’t met too many dickheads in rugby league.

“But in saying that, the guys you’ve mentioned, they’ve all got a real good attitude.

Luke Lewis celebrates after Gerard Beale scores a try against the Rabbitohs.

“Like Petero, he’s someone I learnt so much from.

“So when I look at that list ... yeah, work ethic. It’s non negotiable.”

And so it was again for Lewis.

His ability to stay clean off the field, matched only by his willingness to get dirty on it.

And, no, the triple Centurion didn’t grab himself a headline moment.

Not like that 2016 Clive Churchill medal, anyway.

But still, the Sharkies No.11 almost got across the tryline -- twice.

Almost broke away upfield, too.

Even came close to a stink with Souths centre Bryson Goodwin, with Bunnies players alleging the old boy deliberately came down with an elbow as Goodwin was on the ground.

But Lewie? Surely not.

Luke Lewis waves to the crowd as he runs on to play his 300th game.

Especially with mum Sharon watching on in the crowd.

Indeed, after 17 years, how many black marks can even be put against this blue collar kid from out west?

Lewis, as usual against the Bunnies, performing all those small, selfless acts that never make it onto pages like this one.

Indeed, as he first walked out onto the field with his little girl Hazel, through a guard of honour formed by family and friends, you couldn’t help but wonder how much potential this bloke has seen come and go.

How many Next Big Things whose potential went unfulfilled.

Or wannabe tough guys who, when it mattered most, simply weren’t.

All of them arriving, playing and then before they had more games than fingers, gone.

Leaving behind a couple of brief moments.

And Lewis.