Referee Sean Byatt officiates brothers Robbie and Matt on opposite sides

Now before the PC brigade calls for an investigation, there's a "fun" element to it.

Sean Byatt is a rising referee in the league and he officiated Tumut's home clash against Albury Thunder on Saturday.

On one side was older brother Robbie, while younger sibling Matt was playing for Tumut.

Although statistics on the chance of that happening are difficult to quantify, it's hard to believe it would have happened previously.

"I've been the touch judge before when they played for Albury Thunder and Tumbarumba, back when 'Tumba' was still in Group Nine," Sean explained.

"It's the first time I've ever refereed the pair of them playing against each other in a competition match."

At one stage, The Border Mail photographer took a snap of Sean speaking to Robbie and a Tumut player.

"I don't think at any stage I penalised Rob," Sean recalled.

"As for what he said during that chat, that's probably between him and I, I don't think it would be right for the paper (laughs loudly)."

The playing brothers tackled each other on a handful of occasions, but there was no sledging.

"You always know he's out there and you always want to be the player with the bragging rights," Matt suggested.

Tumut was strong favourites and while it posted a 44-26 win, the undermanned and inexperienced Thunder produced a mighty performance in a physical clash.

"Out of them, Rob did have a better game, Matt played very well and did his job, but I didn't get any chat out of Matt, I always knew I'd get a bit more chirping out of Rob (chuckles)," Sean offered.

Matt was asked if the 'ref' played favourites.

"No, no favourites, but Rob's definitely the favourite in the family, he's got kids, so mum loves him," he laughed.

Robbie must have been in the 'zone' during the game, because he thought Sean had penalised him at least once.

"It just gives him a chance to assert his authority," he chirped.

And Matt also never attracted his brother's attention.

"I wasn't penalised by Sean, he'd tell me too if he did," he chipped.

Robbie is the only one without a nickname, with Sean boasting 'Pugde', while Matt is 'Barge'.

"I've got a big arse (laughs), as in 'Barge Arse', I've had a big arse since I was a little kid, while Sean was a bit of a bigger fellow back in the day so that's how he got 'Pudge', but he's trimmed right up now," Matt admitted.

"When I spoke to Sean, I think I called him 'Pudge'."

Robbie admitted doing the same.

"Yes, Rob called me 'Pudge', as did a few of the Tumut boys, I know a couple of them, that doesn't really bother me," Sean said of his less than flattering moniker.

"I don't mind getting called anything, except a cheat."

So how will Sean remember his historic moment with the family?

"It was a good learning experience," he said seriously.

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"There were a couple of decisions that I might have changed that I thought about either just after they happened or after the game, but, overall, I was happy to be a part of it."

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