Brett and Josh Morris after the Dragons won the 2010 premiership. Picture: DAVE TEASE
NRL
Josh Morris knows what it is like to be inside a premiership-winning dressing room, but he has waited two years for the chance to play in a grand final.
The Bulldogs star centre was a familiar face in the jubilant St George Illawarra sheds at ANZ Stadium, when the Dragons' demons were finally exorcised with the 2010 premiership.
With his arm in a sling after a late-season shoulder injury, Morris wore a smile on his face, congratulating his former teammates, including twin brother Brett.
But inside, the emotion was vastly removed from the mood inside the room.
Josh, squeezed out by salary-cap issues and carving out a new career at Canterbury, naturally wished he was in the same position of triumph.
"He watched on the sidelines and was really happy for his brother," father Steve said.
"But it was really hard for him. Looking back he was probably a bit quiet during [grand final week]; I don't think he was really happy, even though he was happy for Brett.
"I'm sure he wouldn't have been feeling 100 per cent, but I'm hoping his slice of happiness is coming."
There's been an almost endless supply of superlatives to describe Josh's sparkling form this season, and few challenges he hasn't overcome.
His performances in State of Origin to contain Greg Inglis - who he will line up against in tonight's preliminary final at ANZ Stadium, albeit not positionally head-to-head this time - cemented his place as one of the premier centres in the game.
Morris scored 16 tries in as many NRL rounds this year, but the spree has since dried up, and he has managed just one in the past eight games.
It hasn't halted Canterbury's progress though, winning 13 of their past 14 games to claim the minor premiership and be just 80 minutes from the grand final he craves.
"It's been a pretty flat out, stressful time this week for him," Steve said.
"They've got a lot on their plate at the moment, the pressure of playing to be in a grand final, but not yet being in it.
"It's hard to shake that feeling that if they lose, the whole year is down the drain, but if they win this week, it's exciting to be part of a grand final."
Brett and Josh's career statistics remain remarkably comparable.
The Dragons winger has scored 89 tries from 130 games, slightly shading Josh's 81 from 131.
Brett has played 10 games for Australia for 11 four-pointers, whereas Josh has played two and scored three, the fewer international caps partly due to his previous injury concerns.
Josh has crossed three times from five State of Origin appearances for NSW, Brett just once in six.
The supporters of both clubs carry banners claiming "The Better Morris", stirring the banter between fans and family alike.
"They're best mates, but they're always on about the bragging rights," Steve said. "He's pretty determined to get to this grand final, because I know as well as anyone, you don't get too many chances.
"He's proved to himself just how good he is this year; he has shown what he can do at Origin level and has been the No 1 centre in the comp."
Brett is currently on the Dragons' end-of-season trip to Las Vegas, with online messages of support and the memory of his brother's success spurring Josh on back in Sydney.
Though Brett will be absent tonight, Steve has been clambering for tickets, as long-suffering South Sydney and expectant Bulldogs fans come out of the woodwork for an expected crowd of about 75,000.
South Sydney would qualify for their first grand final in 41 years with a win tonight, connecting a new generation with the Rabbitohs' glorious eras of the early 1950s and again between 1967 and 1971, when they collected nine of their 20 premierships.
For the Morris family, a title for Josh would continue their own grand history of success - even if he will be wearing different colours.
Steve, the former NSW and Australian halfback turned winger, was part of St George's last title as a standalone club back in 1979.
Josh's move to the Bulldogs in 2009 came about because of salary- cap pressures on St George Illawarra, as well as the presence of centres Matt Cooper and returning international Mark Gasnier after a stint in France playing rugby union.
It pushed Josh out of his comfort zone after playing his junior days on the South Coast with Kiama, before starting on the Dragons' pathway to the NRL.
But if the move to Sydney helped him mature as a player and a man, Steve believes Josh will be ready to make the most of the opportunity tonight presents.
"He's one of the most professional footballers I've ever seen," Steve said.
"He had to go [when he left the Dragons], but he is very happy where he is now at the Bulldogs.
"Josh is part of the main leadership group and he's really settled. I think that shows in the form he's had this year.
"One thing I'm sure of is he will have prepared himself very well and hopefully he can win and go on and equal the ledger with his brother next week."
