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It’s all in the family: The 10 best family combinations in NRL history

Some of the all-time great family bloodlines.

Published by
Pat Staveley

With Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary joining forces in 2019 as a father-son duo at the foot of the mountain, it's time to take a look back at some of the best family combinations at the same club.

Brett and Josh Morris - Dragons and Bulldogs brothers (2007-08, (2015-18)

The most prolific try-scoring twins in rugby league is a special piece of history for the two Morris brothers. Brett debuted in 2006 for the Dragons before Josh made his debut in 2007. The two spent two seasons together prior to Josh's move to the Bulldogs. Brett went on to win the 2010 Grand Final with the Dragons and spent a further four seasons with the Red V. The winger reunited with Josh at the Bulldogs in 2015 where they formed a dangerous left-sided combination at club level and Origin level. Brett and Josh have scored a combined 269 NRL tries in 502 games.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Brett Morris of the Bulldogs and Josh Morris of the Bulldogs look on during the round 22 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on August 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

 

Jesse and Kenny Bromwich - Melbourne brothers (2013-)

The Bromwich bros have played together in three NRL Grand Finals including the 2017 triumph over the Cowboys and have also played in six tests for New Zealand alongside each other. Kenny is now in his seventh season while Jesse has become a veteran, entering his 10th season this year as one of the most senior members of the Storm squad.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jesse Bromwich of the Storm (L) poses with brother Kenny Browmwich during a Melbourne Storm NRL media opportunity at AAMI Park on September 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

 

Norm and Peter Provan - St George brothers (1956-1960)

The Provan brothers may not have played much football together in the NSWRL however it didn't matter because they still achieved incredible success in their time in the same side. While Norm played a part in the first ten of St George's 11 consecutive premierships, Peter joined his older brother in the 1959 and 1960 Grand Final, winning over Manly and Easts respectively. Peter picked up the man of the match award in 1959's 20-0 victory. Peter made the switch to Balmain in 1961 and faced off against his brother in 1964 as they lost 11-6. Peter also featured in Balmain's 1966 defeat to St George however by this point Norm had retired.

St George Illawarra Dragons logo

 

Sam, Luke, George and Tom Burgess - Souths brothers (2011-)

Souths added their first Burgess import in 2010 and unarguably their best with Sam. Sam has played over 160 games since his first appearance and was joined by older brother Luke in 2011 who racked up 51 games for Rabbitohs before joining Manly. Younger twins George and Tom debuted in 2012 and 2013 respectively and both lined up alongside Sam in the drought-breaking 2014 premiership victory making it a special family affair for the Burgess family, with Luke watching from the sidelines.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 05: The Burgess brothers stand during the singing of the national anthem before the 2014 NRL Grand Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

 

John and Martin Lang - Cronulla and Penrith father and son (1996-2004)

Like Darius Boyd and Wayne Bennett from 2006-2018, Martin Lang only played under the one coach in his nine-year career, except for the Queensland front-rower he was playing under his own father. John coached the Sharks from 1994-2001 and gave his son his NRL debut in 1996 before they both moved to Penrith in 2002 and helped win the Premiership the following year in 2003. Martin retired at just 29 in 2004 and John departed the club two years later.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 3: Martin Lang of the Panthers bids farewell to his home crowd after the round 26 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Brisbane Broncos, at Penrith Stadium September 3, 2004 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

 

Brett and Glenn Stewart - Manly brothers (2003-14)

Fullback Brett and back-rower Glenn spent twelve years at Manly as proud teammates in a successful period that resulted in two premierships in 2008 and in 2011. Both Brett and Glenn scored in the 2011 triumph over the Warriors with a deserved Glenn picking up the Clive Churchill Medal. The brothers played a combined 418 appearances for the Sea Eagles, scoring 190 tries altogether. Brett retired at the end of 2016 while Glenn was forced out of the club and moved to Souths in 2015.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Jamie Lyon (R) and Glenn Stewart (L) of the Sea Eagles show their dejection during the NRL trial match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Manly Sea Eagles at Remondis Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Matthew and Andrew Johns - Newcastle brothers (1993-2000)

The Johns brothers formed a strong halves partnership for the best part of a decade and eventually yielded success, with the 1997 ARL Premiership going up to Newcastle for the first time in their history. Matthew and Andrew were also that good for their club side that they also played alongside each other at Origin and Test level. Matthew left the club at the end of 2000 and spent a solitary year at the Sharks in 2002, while 'Joey' stayed at the Knights and delivered another Premiership in 2001 before retiring in 2007.

SYDNEY, NSW - JUNE 15: Andrew Johns of the Blues is congratulated by his brother, commentator, Matthew Johns after winning match two of the ARL State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Telstra Stadium June 15, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Garry, Mark and Graeme Hughes - Bulldogs brothers (1974-1983); Glen, Steven and Corey Hughes - Bulldogs brothers (1993-2004)

Brothers Garry, Mark and Graeme all debuted for the Bulldogs in 1974 with each player retiring from oldest to youngest; Graeme in '82, Mark in 83' and Garry in 84'. All three brothers started for the Bulldogs in their 1980 Grand Final win over Easts. Garry saw the birth of his three sons Glen (92-04), Steven (93-01) and Corey Hughes (98-08) who all went on to play for the Bulldogs at the same time together.  Glen (1995) and Corey (2004) both achieved premiership success on their own, however, after failing in their 1998 pursuit together.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs logo

Steve, Kevin and Kerrod Walters - Canberra and Brisbane brothers (1987-1996, 2000)

Steve Walters never played for Brisbane like twins Kevin and Kerrod did, however the brilliant rake was Canberra's no.9 in the 1989 GF win where Kevin Walters came off the bench. Kerrod debuted for the Broncos in their first ever season in 1988 and Kevin joined him in 1990. Kevin and Kerrod basked in premiership glory together, being part of the last team to win consecutive premierships in 1992 and 1993 with Kevin at five-eighth and Kerrod at hooker. Kerrod missed out on 1997 and 1998 successes after his move to Adelaide and only featured once in his homecoming 2000 season. Kevin finished up with six premierships, Kerrod with two and Steve with one.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Queensland coach Kevin Walters speaks to the media during the Queensland Maroons State of Origin captain's run at ANZ Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Steve, Peter and Chris Mortimer - Bulldogs brothers (1977-1987)

Halfback Steve (1976-88) and centres Peter (1977-87) and Chris (1978-87) all spent at least a decade at their beloved Bulldogs which meant they all had the chance to achieve premiership glory together. They all lined up in the 1980 Grand Final victory alongside fellow brother trio Mark, Garry and Graeme Hughes. Unbelievably, the triple threat of Mortimers secured another title, in 1984 with a 6-4 win over the Eels. They couldn't make it a three-peat though in 1986 when Chris and Steve featured in a 4-2 loss to the same side they defeated two years earlier.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs logo

 

Published by
Pat Staveley