Brothers Dylan and Tom Rake currently play together in the senior side, with their father, Garry, a life member of the club and older brother Jarred also playing before injury cut his career short as a junior.

Dylan has featured in the Bulldogs’ two premierships the past two seasons, while Tom has settled into the senior side this season after only managing a handful of games the past two years due to injury.

They’re hoping this could be the year they finally play in a premiership together after Tom missed the decider last season.

The reigning premiers are roaring towards the finals after 10 straight wins.

“I’ve been there for probably 13 years now and Tom has probably been playing for nine or so,” Dylan, 23, said.

“We’ve never really played anywhere else, we moved away for a year and that’s about it and were straight back to Thurgoona.

“We didn’t play together for six years until he started playing seniors, but we played a bit early.

“He was really young when he started under 14s, he was eight or nine when I was in my top age, but that was probably the last time we played together.

“I had a ripper pre-season and was looking forward to getting stuck in, but then I cut my foot open and missed the first couple of weeks.

“I’m starting to find some form now which is good, it’s the right time of the year to do it.”

Dylan has found his calling at half-back, while Tom has moved from the forward line to the wing as the season has progressed.

“I don’t tell too many people, but he’s going to be a lot better than me,” Dylan laughed.

“I never let him know that, but he will be.

“He’s got a bit more natural talent I reckon, he doesn’t have to work as hard.”

Tom, 18, enjoys playing alongside his brother, but was quick to admit Dylan was wrong.

“He’s just being nice there, he does all the main stuff,” Tom said.

“When we’re at footy it’s fine, but at home is a different story.

“I’ve played with him the last couple of years, but I had an injury last year which put that back.

“I broke my foot and fractured my shin, so I only played six or seven games last year.

“I think Dylan has played 200 games (across all grades) for the club and I’ve played about 170, so we’ve been there a fair while.

“It’s a good vibe and it’s a good family club.

“We’ve had a good run the last 10 weeks or so and hopefully we can keep rolling through.”

Modern-day rivals Mitta United await Thurgoona at home this weekend – the side the Bulldogs last lost to back in round four.

“It’s been strong for a while,” Dylan added.

“We were a little bit undermanned, but they played some decent footy, so it will be good to get one back on them hopefully.”