I arrived slightly late for the 3 vs 4 Page playoff on Saturday afternoon between Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. (I couldn't resist a brisk 4-mile workout in Halifax's beautiful Point Pleasant Park on a sunny morning.)

When I got to my seat in press row, I noticed that my seat was taken. Former Brier champ Mark Dacey was in my chair.

Out of respect, I opted to steal the seat of a rival media organization, rather than ask one of Nova Scotia's and Saskatchewan's favourite curlers to vacate the spot.

It's just a reminder of how close you can actually get to the stars of the game at the Brier. Sure there are egos, but there isn't the same kind of machismo that contaminates the mainstream sports of hockey, basketball, baseball and football.

For the most part, the Brier participants -- from 24-year-old Brad Jacobs to the legendary Glenn Howard -- are not only accesible, they're also friendly.

They seem to take pride in trying to build their sport and reach new audiences. Often the case at major events, younger reporters are treated with contempt not only from some of the older veteran scribes, but also from media reps and players. That hasn't been the case here.

All week there's been a real sense of provincial (and regional, in the case of Northern Ontario) pride on display. It's dawned on me that curling is the only team sport where we have a true best-on-best national championship, where all regions are represented.

Of course, the Canada Games exist, but there are age caps on the participants, so it's tough to call that a best-on-best competition. The national track and field championships also include provincial teams, but it's mainly an individual sport. The same goes for swimming, cross-country (running and skiing), and paddling.

The point being that the Brier and Tournament of Hearts are unique. Not only are they great national events, but because of the depth and strength of Canadian curling, it's also the best competition in the world.

And, although they might be among the best in the world at their sport, nobody is above sharing a pint or two with fans at the Brier Patch, or signing autographs on the way to a 5th-end bathroom break.

Or, in the case of Dacey, providing some off-the-cuff analysis to a self-confessed curling novice.