Brothers Glenn and Brett Stewart hope Manly's undefeated start to the NRL season leads to a rare representative debut for the siblings.
The Stewarts have both been in sparkling form for the Sea Eagles this season - Brett scoring three tries and averaging 139m gained per game while Glenn has averaged 31 tackles and three off-loads per outing.
With the NSW Country Origin team to be selected in two weeks, both Stewarts have strong claims to a maroon and gold jumper for the Coffs Harbour clash on May 3.
They would become just the second set of siblings to play for Country since the annual clash went to full Origin format in 1987.
Newcastle's Andrew and Matthew Johns are the only brothers to have worn a Country jersey at the same time in the 18-16 win over City in 1996.
Older sibling Glenn said it would be a dream come true for the Wollongong-born brothers, who still live together, to achieve representative honours at the same time.
"It would be unreal. Playing for Manly together is enough of a bonus but to be representatives together would be the next step," said Glenn Stewart.
"I'm not looking too far ahead, I'd just be happy to keep playing consistent football for Manly.
"If that happens no-one will knock it back."
Fullback Brett is used to gaining plaudits and has already garnered strong NSW State of Origin support for his outstanding start to the season, but such glowing affirmations are unusual for workhorse Glenn.
Told Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes had rated him Manly's "unsung hero" of the forward pack prior to last week's clash, the 23-year-old said he was happy just to go about his business in the background.
"I didn't even know about that (Folkes comment), it's good to be getting recognition like that so I can't complain," he said.
"(But) this is the first year I've had playing consistent first grade footy and I'm just glad to be a part of it for the next few years," he added, referring to the three-year contract deal he signed on Monday.
"I'm really happy with (my own form) but I've still got a lot of areas in my game I've got to improve on, just cutting out errors and stuff like that, so there's always something to work on."
Younger brother Brett, 22, said it would be amazing and certainly warranted if he and Glenn were both selected for NSW Country.
"It would be enormous I suppose. We always wanted to play together at club level and to do it at a representative level would be even better," he said.
"(Glenn's) workload has been massive and he's probably been the most consistent player we've had throughout the first five rounds and his new contract shows just how good he's been going."
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