Chasing his dream of playing for NSW alongside brother Josh this season, it was only yesterday Brett Morris revealed just how close he came to running out in the same team as his twin tonight - against the Dragons.
Morris admitted he was torn last year when the Bulldogs came knocking with a lucrative offer, having already secured Josh at the end of 2008.
Josh had left Wollongong for Belmore after the Dragons had opted to make their top priority extending the contract of former NSW State of Origin centre Matt Cooper.
Full coverage of the Dragons And without his brother around Brett went on to be the leading NRL try-scorer wearing the Red V last year, extending his contract with the club until 2012 in the process.
But in the build-up to tonight's clash with the Bulldogs at WIN Stadium, Brett said he nearly followed Josh to Sydney.
"I definitely thought about it," Brett said after the Dragons' final training session in Wollongong.
"They came up with a good offer and at one stage it was 50-50.
"It was harder than I thought it was going to be, but in the end I made the decision to stay here.
"I really love the club and I can't see myself going anywhere else at the moment."
They've spent their career jumping in and out of each others shadows.
Brett made his NRL debut almost a full season before Josh.
But he then watched on as Josh made his Origin debut last year, fighting back from a leg injury which saw him ruled out of the first two games to be handed a sky blue jersey for the final clash of the series.
With the prospect of playing alongside his brother now gone - at least in the short term - Brett said their dreams of lining up together for NSW can be realised this year.
It's about the only box left to tick for Brett, other than an elusive premiership for his beloved Dragons.
"It's something you look forward to, (Origin) games," he said.
"You'd love to be part of them and these days, the only chance we get to play together is rep football.
"Obviously we'll be trying to play our best football so we can play together (for NSW)."
They had a taste of representative football together in the end-of-season Four Nations tour, when Josh played in the centres inside Brett against France.
Each Morris scored two tries in a 42-4 romp.
But for all the hope of the perfect on-field reunion with his brother, Brett said they've both grown as a result of the time apart.
"The way he was going over there and they way I was going here, we were forging separate identities," Morris said.
"I think that was one (consideration) and I've been a Dragons fan my whole life.
"I'm a big fan of loyalty and I didn't want to see myself leaving the club."
Last year Brett finished with 25 tries after 26 rounds, three clear of his blue-and-white brother.
So having won the cash - and the case of Coronas - that went on the line for the leading try-scorer's crown last year, Brett said he was determined to try to defend the honour this season.
But he'll have to fight back from an early deficit, because while the Dragons notched up a first-round victory against Parramatta and the Dogs were stung by a "pumped up" Newcastle team, it was Josh who struck the first blow on the Morris's personal scoreboard.
Josh bagged a double, with Brett yet to open his account.
"I watched the (Bulldogs) game last week and I was a little bit filthy when I saw him score two tries," Brett said.
"He gave me a bit about this week too, so hopefully I can get a few over the Dogs (tonight)."
Brett said for all the sibling rivalry - and banter that goes with it - a new wager was yet to be decided upon this season.
"Not as yet, I'm sure once I get a couple on the board, I'll probably start something up."
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