Identical twins Matt and James Tanner both confident Rutherglen can play finals this season

You see, if James Tanner doesn't collect you, there's every chance twin Matt will.

The 20-year-olds are identical, have always played on the same team and have been central to the Cats' bright start in the Tallangatta league.

But while they're both fighting for the same cause, the sibling rivalry remains.

"I've never really played on a footy team without my brother," James said.

"We are pretty close and I guess we're pretty competitive. We always have been, it's how we grew up. I've never really noticed it but everyone else thinks we seem to pass to each other a lot.

"We play the same role, the same position and it's probably hard to tell us apart most of the time!

"He actually stole one of my goals earlier in the season."

So how does Matt plead to that charge?

"Well, I did, but we don't need to talk about that too much," he laughed.

"It's always been goals that have got mixed up throughout the years.

"Coaches and players wind us up by saying the other one's playing better.

"We definitely have the same mindset and the same skill level so it's pretty easy to predict how he's going to be playing.

"I know how hard he's going to go at the contest and vice versa.

"It's easier to know the outcome of where the ball's going to finish up."

Rutherglen are sixth with a 4-3 record, just one win outside the top-five, with the Tanners having been among their best most weeks.

"We're hoping to make finals," James said.

"If we do finish in the top five, we can compete with any side.

"I love being back at this footy club. It's a really good home vibe, a bunch of close mates playing and that's more the reason I came back (from Corowa-Rutherglen), to get back into some fun footy."

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"Honestly, I think we've got a premiership side," Matt added.

"I think we can go all the way but it's just what we bring. If we keep losing games I think we should win, it's going to be hard.

"We were predicted to finish pretty low but the boys have done really well. Everyone's determined to prove a lot of people wrong.

"We've got a lot of boys back at the club and we've got a lot of talent.

"The coaches have just asked us to play our brand of footy, go hard at the contest, play in the midfield and forward. They know we're both fit and we can run so they've given us a fair bit of time and I'm loving that.

"We've got a great rotation with midfielders like Jimmy Hanrahan, Shaun Moore, Josh Quick and a lot of skilful players.

"That makes it easy for us, when you've got a good midfield and a strong backline."

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