Mat and Max Feagai know all about the comparisons.
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The one where they're likened to Josh and Brett Morris, the Kiama twins who came through the St George Illawarra system to play State of Origin, for Australia and in Brett's case won premierships with the Dragons in 2010 and Roosters in 2019.
And the line drawn to Penrith, as the Dragons try to create stars of the future with the Feagais, Tyrell Sloan, Jayden Sullivan and Junior Amone, the way the Panthers built to the title with the combinations of Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Dylan Edwards and Brian To'o.
It's a lot to live up to for two 20-year-olds who have played just six NRL games, in Max's case, and eight for Mat.
Of those, they've only been together for the Dragons once and even then, Max went off with a head knock.
But after signing a new contract to keep them in Wollongong until the end of the 2024 season, the Feagais are comfortable trying to build a career at the same club the Morris's started.
"We get (the comparison) everywhere we go," Max says with a laugh.
"It is a lot to live up to, I guess," Mat admits. "It's pretty cool, the Morris brothers (playing) where they started and went on to do a lot of great things.
"Max and I look up to them and we'd love to follow in their path."
Brett and Josh formed an amazing combination during their time together at the Dragons, Bulldogs, Roosters, NSW and Australia, they also spent time in their career on opposing teams.
In Mat and Max's case, they actually haven't ever spent a lot of time next to each other on the field, given they both prefer to be playing in the centres. And while Anthony Griffin will have the final say on where they will line-up next year, they still hope to become a potent force together in the NRL.
"Growing up, we got put on either side," Max said.
"It was only when we went up to SG Ball they both puts up on the same side.
"We kind of just know how each other plays."
We can work towards something really special here
- Mat Feagai
Because of the head knock Max missed the Queensland COVID bubble to complete the NRL season, where the Dragons slumped to a joint venture record eight games in a row to finish 11th.
But the Feagais are optimistic the future is bright, as the Dragons invest in their youth alongside the experienced recruits like George Burgess and Aaron Woods and key Origin players like Ben Hunt and Tariq Sims.
With the 2022 NRL draw to be released on Tuesday - St George Illawarra are expected to play the Warriors in Queensland in round one - you can pick up a rank outsider quote of $51 for the Dragons with betting agencies.
Which brings us back to the other comparison, the one to a mighty Penrith team that outlasted Souths to win the club's third NRL title.
"Just look at Penrith, how well they mould on the field," Mat said.
"If we just keep the young boys around here and a lot of the key players on the field too, we can work towards something really special here within the next couple of years."
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
