When whispers of a talented set of brothers from Wests Wollongong got to former Northern Eagles chairman Ian Thomson in 2001, the first question he asked was: ''Are they good kids?''
It was at a time when the Northern Eagles - the short-lived merger between Manly and North Sydney - were trying to ''build the right image'' for the club, and Thomson was wary of the type of people, rather than footballers, the Eagles were luring to Brookvale.
''Are they from a good family?'' Thomson later asked his brother-in-law Richard McKell, who was playing first grade with the brothers. Both answers were met with hasty assurances that they were exactly what the Eagles were looking for.
The first time Thomson watched the brothers play lightning forced a premature end to the contest against a Dapto outfit spearheaded by future Kangaroo Paul McGregor, but what he saw in 60 minutes was enough evidence to suggest ''they were special''.
So was the bond they shared. When Glenn and Melbourne's Adam Blair exchanged blows at Brookvale six weeks ago, it was hardly a surprise to see Brett first on the scene. Growing up they were inseparable. It's just the way they've always been. Nothing's changed.
As youngsters, Brett was the naturally gifted footballer and it came as no surprise when the St George Illawarra came knocking to secure his services. In a testament to the brothers' relationship, Brett refused to sign with the Dragons unless Glenn was part of the deal.
Brett had been plagued by a major back injury in his junior days but in a reflection of the Dragons' desire to sign the talented fullback they overlooked his medical history and tabled an offer. However it didn't include his big brother. The Dragons weren't convinced Glenn, who hadn't played in any junior representative teams, had the qualities to play first grade. That's when Manly made their move.
''I invited them up to a Brookvale Oval home game and they came along and sat with myself and Paul Vautin,'' Thomson said.
''We talked about where we wanted to take the club and how the boys would fit in and how we would help them adjust to the move to Sydney. From what I saw, and the digging around I did afterwards, I was perfectly happy to take both of them. There was no discussion that we'll take Brett and also take Glenn as a sufferance. From our point of view, we wanted both of them.''
Meanwhile, Roosters great and recruitment manager Arthur Beetson was trying to lure the brothers.
''They came up to Sydney with their parents to meet with us,'' Beetson said. ''I spotted them; I actually went down to Wollongong and watched them both play and I said, 'Brett will make it'. I wasn't sure about Glenn. He's the one that has surprised me. But [Roosters chief] Brian Canavan still wanted them both.''
It was never about money, it was always about opportunity and family. Their parents Barry and Narelle were keen for the boys to remain together, especially considering Brett was a diabetic.
They wanted the boys to look out for one another, and the best place they could do that was at the Sea Eagles. They played in the club's Jersey Flegg team, then midway through 2003 former Manly coach Peter Sharp gave Brett his first shot at the NRL when he called the then 18-year-old into the team at the 11th hour.
''Both of them were always going to play first grade, it was always just a matter of when,'' Sharp said.
Brett's debut ended in heartache, dislocating his shoulder trying to tackle Eels centre Jamie Lyon - now his captain at Manly. Glenn debuted later that year, but took longer to find his feet in the top grade, playing only 18 games in his first four years in the NRL.
The pair are now the heart and soul of the Sea Eagles.
Contrary to public perceptions, those who know the brothers couldn't speak more highly of the pair. They have stuck together through plenty of adversity, including the emotional ordeal surrounding Brett's well-publicised sexual assault trial, in which he was found not guilty.
Glenn stood by his side every step of the way, and only six weeks ago fronted the media to cover for his little brother, who wasn't up to the task.
A decade ago the Eagles went after ''good kids''. And they got them.
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