It was there in the email inbox, regular as clockwork.
With the New Zealand Heartland Under 19's in action against Tasman Under 19 at the Jock Hobbs tournament in Taupo on Thursday, there was only one place that Ohakune teacher, quilt maker and rugby photography enthusiast Merrilyn George was going to be.
As she has so often this year - from Taihape to Palmerston North, from Waverley to Levin - Merrilyn has followed her former Ruapehu College student Gabriel Hakaraia to offer support and take photos of his matches.
Therefore, a steady stream of priceless pictures have arrived in the Wanganui Chronicle sports inbox, free of charge, from all four corners of our rugby region - both Senior and Premier club matches as well as Wanganui Under 20's, Development XV, and now the Heartland Under 19's
Similar to the 2009 Sandra Bullock grideon movie The Blind Side, Merrilyn and husband Ken George, the legendary former club player and representative coach, have been avid supporters and mentors of young Hakaraia - a former school sports prefect and 2014 winner of the Waimarino Shield for all-round student in academic, sporting, and social areas including Maori culture and values.
Wanganui Under 20 coach Denis Edwards, who chose Hakaraia as his captain for the last couple of seasons, speaks very highly of the support of the George's and how they have been true friends to the squad.
We're a small outfit these days at the Chronicle and many a time when our sole Saturday photographer has been trying to fit square pegs in round holes by being in multiple locations at once, I have felt most relieved to spot Merrilyn faithfully trudging down the sidelines and quickly approached to say "I'll have one of those shots".
One of those occasions was last weekend's Development XV win over the Wellington Centurions, while I was ensconced in conversation with another good friend to the Chronicle sports desk - Sarah Lourie of the self-titled Sarah Lourie Photography.
The Brunswick School teacher and proud mother of up-and-coming referee Ben Lourie, who was looking resplendent in his official Mitre 10 orange match attire on Saturday,
Sarah has also spent the winter traversing the region to cover her son's matches, snapping away diligently on the sidelines and producing some fantastic shots.
And without fail, every Saturday evening or Sunday morning, there would be the friendly Facebook message inviting me to make a selection from dozens of posted pics from the said game in hand.
There were often times during the club season where if Ruapehu had a home match and Ben Lourie was posted for officiating another country game, then I could send our photographer to the Spriggens Park or Country Club clash with the knowledge I would have picture coverage from three of the four Premier games on a given weekend - adding some much needed balance and colour to the Monday wrap up.
I've done it several times privately, but I would publicly like to thank both these lovely ladies for their contributions to the Wanganui Chronicle's rugby coverage in 2016, with the hardy wish that long may it continue.