Cast your mind back to early August last year and the rugby league world was Burgess brother mad.
The stage was the Sydney Football Stadium and Souths' clash against the Tigers where the four Burgess siblings Sam, Luke, Tom and George created history by becoming the first set of brothers to line up in the same Australian based side for more than a century.
Everyone it seemed was glued to the action, including the Knights' own Mata'utia brothers.
Tuning in from their Broadmeadow home, the siblings camped around their television and intently watched on hoping one day they would also get the opportunity to line-up in first grade together.
The youngest of the Mata'utia brothers, Sione (pictured on the right), has vivid memories of the night the Burgess boys carved up and how much it inspired him and his bros to emulate their feats.
"We were just thinking, ‘how cool would it be to all play together like that," Sione reflects.
"We were talking about it, having a laugh and thinking one day we would probably want to do that."
Well this dream will become reality at Hunter Stadium this Saturday when the three Mata'utia brothers play together in the Knights' trial team to take on the First Nations Goannas.
Sione has been selected to make his top grade debut at fullback, Chanel (pictured on the left) will play in the centres, while Pat (pictured in the middle) is set to come off the interchange bench.
It's the first time the siblings have ever played together at any level and they can't wait to take the field.
Unfortunately the Mata'utia's will run around without their eldest brother Peter, who has joined the Dragons, but the boys' are still pumped for the big occasion.
Chanel is particularly looking forward to Saturday's game, especially now he has taken the mantle of oldest brother in Peter's absence.
"Ever since Pete left, I kind of got a bit of weight put on my shoulders to take over that older brother role," Chanel says.
"It’s going to be the first time for us three to play together at any level though, so it is going to be good.
"It will be a bit of experience for my little brother Sione and we are going to enjoy it as much as we can."
It seems the Mata'utia family are equally excited for this weekend's match, with Pat revealing everyone from their mum through to cousins are lining up to get a seat at the game.
"Well we asked for 10 tickets to try and get a heap of the family to come watch," Pat grins.
"Mum (Matalena) is excited for us to play this weekend, especially for Sione with him being the youngest and coming up to play his first grade trial under Wayne.
"She is heaps proud of us."
For Sione, the baby of the Mata'utia boys, playing alongside his brothers is a dream years in the making.
It's why he wants to make the most of the opportunity and impress.
"I’ve always looked up to these two guys," he explains.
"I’ve just seen them playing rugby league and wanted to do the same.
"Watching Pete and Chanel play together for the first time gave me the drive to play with at least one of them.
"So it's going to be awesome."
Knights coach Wayne Bennett couldn't be prouder of the Mata'uita brothers, especially young Sione who has impressed in his maiden pre-season with the senior squad.
“It’s a good opportunity for Sione to play with his brothers," Bennett says.
“He probably won’t play with them again all year, because he’ll be in the 20s and they’ll be in the Premier League in the NRL.
“It will be good for him, there's nothing but upside.”
So the stage is set for the Mata'utia brothers to create history.
Asked if they’ll copy the Burgess brothers and try and take every hit up in one set on Saturday night, the siblings admitted they'll do their best.
“Oh it depends if we are gassed or not,” Sione laughs, conceding they'll most likely be buggered by the backend of the game.
Middle brother Pat adds . . . . "Yeah that was at the end of the game, so I think we’ll be doing that at the start."
To which all three brothers respond in unison, "Yeah for sure, that’s how we’ll do it.”
Either way, one gets the impression Knights’ fans are in for a treat when the Mata’utia brothers line-up together for the first time on Saturday.
